Simon looked at Antonia, he was a bit sad now and didn't know what to say. "I know but as you said, they started talking at your fathers place and then they went back to Hollian and talked there, did you know the Hollian Minister.." He suddenly stopped she wouldn't know that, so he went on quickly. "I have the same feeling that there's something going on that no one wants us to know about and it's scary."

"I could always stay here with you?" Simon said suddenly seeing the tear in Antonia's eye but he didn't want to say anything to her about it, he waited for her to wipe it on the sleeve before continuing. "I don't think your father hates you and you know that, look what he did for you when you were younger.

Simon was about to continue when an owl swooped down on him and Antonia. "What the?" Simon turned to Antonia. "Is this your owl?" He was sure it wasn't his, he didn't want to touch the owl. "Ladies to open I think." Simon said suddenly.

Oliver wandered out to the front gate, hands in pockets and half expecting Kay not to show. He wouldn't blame her after the fiasco in the flower garden. ...But there she was sitting by the gate and looking sad.

He sat down beside her and gave her a soft smile. “Hey.” He said. The apologies for what happened last year now seemed to pale into insignificance following how distraught the girl got earlier for other reasons. “How are you feeling?” He asked her. “I'm here if you wanna talk, cos I'm a good listener you know.” Surprisingly so for boy who appeared so cocky and self absorbed most of the time. He sighed and gazed towards the castle. “...Um.. does Rex often treat you that way?” He asked quietly with a frown.

"No, don't worry about it, Simon, I'll be okay," Antonia said. "Thanks for offering, anyway, that was nice of you. Grandma needs somebody to keep her company, she's a lot older than we are and she's looking forward to seeing you over the holidays, I"m sure.

Just then an owl came swooping towards them and eventually turned towards Antonia. "Yeah, I guess it is for me," she said, carefully removing the parchment from the owl's right leg.


"Look at this!", Antonia said scornfully, handing the letter to Simon. "What is this anyway, some kind of cruel joke? What is going on?"

Simon looked at Antonia. "I've got an idea." Simon smiled. "Why don't I see if Grandma could have you as well." Simon suddenly realised there was that cottege that was lovely and Grandma did know that Antonia had no idea about the secret live.

Simon looked at the letter. "I don't think that's come from our parents." He sighed, "Just look at the awefull attempt of handwritting." Simon was worried now. "Does that sound like something your father would write?"

"I haven't seen you since last term. I didn't even hear back from you when you got back from France. Everything go alright?" he asked sitting next to her. She didn't seem like her normal self.

Mina shrugged and leaned back on her hands a little. "Yeah, things went good." she replied calmly. She didn't want to let her real emotions show at the moment, now wasn't the time for that. "We came back early. I spend most of my time at Diagon Alley. I'm surprised you didn't see me there." It was strange not one of her friends saw her there. She surely saw them there.

"Really?" Carter asked. He was there a few times and hadn't run into her at all. "Yeah, that is strange. Did you see me at all?" he asked. Probably not. Otherwise she would have said hi, right? "So how was the rest of your summer?"

Mina nodded and shrugged. Yeah, she did see him but did she really want to tell him just where she saw him. He was rather busy and all with his girlfriend and Ella to notice her. The sting of it was still there but she fight it down as much as she could. Maybe she would tell him just where she saw them. "Yeah, I have caught a glimpse of you here and there, but you looked kind of....occupied and all." That was all she was really going to say about that. Looking back to the gates, she shrugged again. "It wasn't all that terrible. I didn't really get to spend must time with Jade but I did stay in London after I got back from France." To be honest, she did spend a lot of time at Diagon Alley and in her room back at her parent's locked away from the world thinking.

"Oh... right..." Carter said remembering that every time he was there he was with Marie. "Marie was having a bit of a tough time..." he said explaining a bit.

"That's too bad. You know, I was looking for you at the platform. I thought we were planning on meeting." he said.

Mina closed her eye as to not back it noticeable her rolling of her eyes at the mention of her. She would just have to remember to keep her emotions in check and not let them be known. She would have to take a page from her sisters' book and pretend once again. Opening her eyes, she put on a nice smile and shrugged. "Yeah....I'm sure you helped her through it like the nice guy you are." she replied. She wasn't sure just how it came out, but she hoped he didn't catch her true meaning behind it.

Oh the platform....she didn't even think any of them even remembered her, let allow wanted to see her. She had thought it a lost cause to even meet up with them. "Oh, yeah. I kind of got there early and went right to my usual compartment in the front." she explained. In the state of mind she was in that day, she wasn't sure she would have even wanted to see any of her so-called friends. "I did manage to wander a bit. Ran into Ella though....that was fun times." Should she tell him who else she ran into? No, it wasn't the time for that.

Looking up at Oliver, she hadn't heard him walk up or sit down next to her. "Hey." Kay said back but not very strongly. She felt so bad about what had happened. Feeling like she had to say sorry all over again to everyone. "How do I feel? I don't know. Numb, nothing, empty." She said looking out the gates. "I want to go home." She said softly and then put her head back down on her knees. Oliver said he would listen, but how could he be so nice to her after that had happened.

Listen to Oliver she relaxed until he started talking about Rex. Her head shot up and she just looked at him. Did Rex always treat her that way? Thinking about really hard she would have to say....no he didn't. whats why it hurt so much. "No, Oliver he has never treated me like that. He is always really nice to me." She said looking up at Oliver. 'he has nice eyes.' Kay thought thinking she could trust him.

"Look, I'm sorry about the fight you had to see and I want to make sure you understand. I wanted to talk to just you about saying I'm sorry. I had Rex come along be...because I wasn't sure if you were still mad at me." She turned away and hoped that she could get this out again. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to help." She said feeling really bad now. "I seem to...when I try to...to help I just end up hurt people." She said as new tears started. "I'm sorry." Softly said and she couldn't go on. What could she do. Everything always went wrong when she tried to help and even when she as just talk people got mad at her.

"I think it sounds a bit cold and impersonal and not like him at all. You're probably right," Antonia said, shifting from one foot to the other. She was getting nervous since more and more students were coming around, this place had been empty when she and Simon had first showed up here. "I don't know whether you should ask if I can come and visit Grandma, too," she offered. "Obviously, no one in the family has thought about that yet, and you probably don't want to interfere in whatever they're doing. I'll be okay, Simon, I really will."

Simon looked at Antonia. "I don't want you to be left on your own at christmas." Simon sighed, "We've only just started talking to each over after years away and now you want me to leave you here on your own at Christmas." Simon wasn't going to do that no way. "If it isn't them then who sent the letter?"

Ginny had strolled across The Front Gate. She had sat down onto the nice soft grass and looked around at what everyone was doing.

Oliver sighed. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong earlier so why did he feel so bad? He was never like this when he was at Durmstrang. Hogwarts, it seemed, had softened the Slytherin up. “No you don't.” he said gently in reply to her confession of wanting to go home. “Not really. In a couple of days you'll feel better.” He smiled a little at the girl. “Where's the feisty young girl with all the fight in her who tried to hex my sorry butt last year gone?” A small chuckle escaped him and he shook his head. Joking about serious stuff was the Oliver way; it was his way of dealing.

He swallowed when the subject turned to Rex. If the kid had carried on in the same way towards Kay, Oliver may have done something that they both regretted. Pair of goats horns perhaps? – pEEEOOeow! Hehe. They would look good on that boy's head. “Good.” Oliver said and nodded. “Because no one should have to put up with being spoken to like that.” No one.

He looked at Kay, eyebrows raising and his expression incredulous. “Why on earth would I be mad at you?” He asked her. “I thought you were upset with me. I thought you'd brought Rex along as back up in case I tried to hex you.” And it hurt at the time but it seemed so silly in retrospect. “I said before I didn't want your apologies but if it makes you feel better then I'll accept it.” Eh... and now his turn. He prodded her lightly in the ribs and smiled. “I'm sorry. It must have hurt like hell. I wish you'd got me with one of those stunners then maybe I wouldn't have hurt you.” Or Miranda or Wesley or Sarah or anyone else. Damn Kay for having the aiming skillz of a Stormtrooper. Hehehe.

"Yeah... Ella told me about that..." Carter said slowly. He thought for a minute about what to say. "Listen, I don't want to tell who to be friends with and who not to be friends with... but, I do want to say be careful. He hurt Marie and I don't want to see you hurt too." he said. He hoped she wouldn't think that he was trying to tell her what to do or that he was suggesting he was disappointed in her choices. He just wanted her to be careful.

Mina looked over at Carter and blinked slightly. Had she just heard him right? He didn't want to see her hurt. That kind of made her laugh. She was a big girl and she knew how to take care of herself. Shaking her head, closed her eyes again. She wasn't going to let on how angry she was about what he was saying to her. Biting her lip, she opened her eyes again. "I hardly think Evan could possible hurt me more than I've been hurt before," she replied. "I'm a big girl, you know. Beside, I think I've learned my lesson when it comes to boys."

"I know you're a big girl and I know you're smart." Carter said. I'm just saying..." That Evan's a haughty jerk... "I'm just saying you're way above everything he is." he said. Then she started talking about being hurt before and learning her lesson. What did she mean by that? Maybe it was some of those boys she met over the summer.

"I wish I knew," Antonia sighed. "It's almost like somebody is controlling their actions or something, forcing them to write things they don't want to. Does it seem that way to you, too, Simon, like they're being forced into something against their wills?"

Simon looked at Antonia. "Yeah in someway's it does." Simon sighed, "And if that's the case it will be why we both can't go home for Christmas, but also if it's the case then will be be home for Summer?" He sighed, "If I remember what was in my fathers diary." Simon thought hard. "Oh yeah, I was staying in England for the next 3 years at least, whilest mine and your father speak in Hollian, they didn't want me anywhere near. "What about your father?"

"Same thing," Antonia said. "He doesn't want me anywhere near him anymore. It's like I've been completely driven out of his life and it just doesn't make any sense at all."

Kay giggled when Oliver touched her ribs. She hadn't laughed or giggled for that matter scent school had started. "No, I really don't what to go home. I love it here." She said looking up at Oliver again. She sat up and felt a little better at Olivers words. "That girl is still here. I just...just told my family I wouldn't fight any more. Well, you see how well that went. I don't know if I can do that. It's just not me." She said thinking she couldn't act that way on the Quidditch pitch. She get killed.

"As to Rex. I think he was just trying to keep me out of trouble. He knew of what my family wants." She said starting to feel more like herself again. "He really is a very nice guy." She said but she didn't think Oliver was believing her. So she smiled and poked him back.

Rubbing her ribs, she giggled again. Hate being ticklish. "As to my ribs, they are fine. It hurt like hell at the time, but that's how it goes." She said waving her hand at it. He didn't do it because he wanted to hurt her, Oliver was under a spell. Kay was the one not wanting to hurt anyone. "Thank you for letting me say sorry. Thank you for saying sorry back." She said hoping that this would be a new start for them and maybe a friendship. "As for the aiming? My Mum and Dad showed me. They were Aurors." She said standing up. "So, are we good?" She said wiping the last of her tear off her face.

Simon looked at his cousin and gave her a quick hug. "Well at least your still in England." Simon sighed, he really missed home. "I've been brought to a different country and haven't been told what's going on." Simon said sadly. "One minute we were making plans for a holiday then next minute, I had been told I had a letter and that I was going to Hogwarts for the next seven years and I won't be allowed back to Hollian for a few year." Simon looked sadly at his cousin. "So what do you think we should do?"

"Yeah, I know exactly how you feel, I really do," Antonia said sadly. "It's probably worse for you though, since you aren't as used to being here in England as I am. But I think we need to investigate further somehow, because there's still nothing that we've really found out so far except that they're covering up something. That's the only thing we know for sure."

Well it was nice to see a smile on Kay's face and not the sad girl he had seen earlier in the flower garden. He had to agree - he loved Hogwarts too. He frowned thoughtfully when she said she had promised her family that she wouldn't fight. “That was no fight, trust me.” He said waving her comment off. “That was you getting frustrated because no one was listening to you.” He turned his head and looked at her. “You know you're allowed to stand up for yourself, Kay? I'm sure your family would understand that.” Gosh.. Oliver wouldn't take that crap from anyone. “Or, you could always wait until you're on the Quidditch pitch and take your frustrations out on a bludger.” Quidditch was great therapy like that. Hehe! “If you're trying out of course. You are, aren't you?” He asked raising his eyebrows. He lowered his voice so that only Kay could hear his next words. “Don't tell anyone this... but the thought of facing you Yellows out there this year scares the crap out of me. Forget the Snakes reputation, you lot are vicious out there.” He chuckled and shook his head.

Oliver resisted the temptation to pull a face when Kay spoke of Rex. He chewed his cheek and nodded. “Maybe I caught him at a bad time.” He muttered. Maybe.. maybe not. It was just weird the way the guy's attitude changed so suddenly for no apparent reason.

Kay was pretty cool Oliver was discovering. Her attitude was very mature; probably more so than his own and he was three years older. “If I ever go mental again like that you have my permission to hex me.” He laughed a little. “I was never angry with you. You were trying to protect your friends and the school.” He nodded at her thanks. “Thanks.” He said quietly with a smile.

Aurors? Woahness. “Are you going to be following in their footsteps?” He asked curiously. “Of course we're good.” He replied to her question. No hard feelings whatsoever.

"I thank you for your concern and everything, but I think I'll be fine," Mina replied. She wasn't in any real danger with all the time she spend with Evan. They were just becoming friends and she needed someone like him in her life. It was new and she knew that with him she wouldn't make the same mistakes she made before. "Beside, Evan's been nothing but nice to me. Teaching me football and stuff. He's really not a bad guy." she added. She had noticed him around the previous terms and she hadn't seen him do anything terrible to anyone. She remembered him standing up for Upstead once and that left a lasting mark on her. Shaking her head slightly, she sighed softly. "I'm not above anyone and if it was possible, you know people do change."

Simon looked at his Cousin. "Well at least hopefully we get to stay together." Simon hoped that they would be he doubted it would happen like that. "I think we need to investigate too." Simon smiled at his cousin again. "So what should we do first?"

"Right. I don't think he could have changed much from yesterday." Carter said. He didn't like that Evan was all of a sudden buddies with all of his mates. He was doing it on purpose. Carter just knew it. That evil Slytherin was determined to get back at him through his friends. And nobody would get away with that.

Carter could feel himself getting angrier by the second. He needed to change topics. "So... have I introduced you to Marie yet?" he asked. He know Marie had met some of his friends at the games, but wasn't sure which ones.

Ok to be mad? Really? No one had ever said that to her before. Not even when her parents were kill. Everyone just told her to stay calm and not to fight about it. "Really? You think its ok to fight? Well stand up for myself?" Kay asked looking back to him. Oliver looked like he meant it and he didn't look mad about. "Quidditch?" She said giggling about that he said about be scared of them. "Your not scared." she said pushing him playfully. "But yes Im trying out again this year. I really love playing and wouldn't give that up for anything." She said eyes shining. She loved Quidditch and didn't get to talk about it every much.

Oliver talking about Rex, but Kay didn't really want to talk about him right at the moment. They were fighting and She didn't know that was going to happen when next they talked. She start nodded to him and went on to the next thing they were talking about.

the battle in the castle. She shooked a little at the thought. "I was trying to help you to. But will..." She started and then giggled again. "You would so much let me." Think of all the things they had said to each other. The words almost made her feel worst then the hexing. "will if I ever go all..I'm going to hex you..you can stop me too. Deal?" She holding out her hand to him.

Aurors? Well she did, until last term. "I don't know if I want to be. My parents were killed in the line of duty. They never came home." She said looking at the ground and sighing. "I think that I would like to be a Healer, and help people." She told him. Maybe he would like that and know that she wasn't out to hex him. Not knowing way what he thought was imporant to her. She giggled again. What was wrong with her and all the giggling?

Rex walked to the Front Gate. " Oh, sorry, did not see you two here" Rex told kay and Oliver. " Bye, I do not want to interrupt your conversation. Rex remembered the last time she giggled. Rex became her boyfriend. This was trouble again for Rex.

Mina shook her head and stared back up at the gates. "Carter, I have no reason to dislike him and so you know, I actually think he's quite nice. One of the nicest boys I've met in sometime." she replied as she thought about it. Evan hadn't ever done anything to make her dislike him and she wasn't about to not give him a chance because of one of Carter's snakes dated him once.

Grinding her teeth slightly at the mention of that name, she closed her eyes again and clinched her jaw. Why did he have to mention her? Of all people, he mentioned her! Trying to contain her anger, she put on a fake smile and opened her eyes. "No, I don't believe you have, but I'm sure I've seen you with her tons of times," she replied. In the back of her mind, she wondered why she wasn't there at the moment. Of course, if he ever did bring her to her, no their spot. She'd never be able to forgive him. Merlin, if he were did, she would bound to end their friendship forever.

Kay seemed surprised by Oliver's statement about standing up for yourself. He frowned, regarding her for a moment. “I'm not saying it's ok to go around picking fights with people.... but of course it's ok to stand up for yourself.” How could Kay feel bad about speaking her mind? It both puzzled and intrigued Oliver. He felt unexplanable pity for her. “It's alright to get angry if you feel angry.” He said looking away from her. “..or one day you'll just explode because you're bottling it all up.” Like earlier in the flower garden.

He laughed when she pushed him playfully. “I am.” He protested. “I'm captain now. I've got this responsibility and I'm petrified.” He admitted with a shrug although his eyes danced with mischievous amusement as he looked at Kay. “Jus' don't tell Miranda, okay?” He added with a knowing wink. “Or I'll never hear the end of it.” hehe. “So you want to be Beater again or do you fancy something different?” He asked with interest. Well... it was Quidditch – it was interesting.

The awkward silence over the subject of Rex told Oliver quite clearly how Kay felt. He continued to chew the inside of his cheek and was glad when she spoke again. “Help me?” He asked with mock incredulousness. “You were using me as target practice.” He joked then elbowed her and snickered to let her know he was kidding. He nodded. “Deal.” He said and spat on his hand. He smirked, clearly very amused by this and held out his hand for Kay to shake and seal the deal.

Then the conversation turned serious again and the smile vanished from Oliver's face. Her parents were both dead? Ah no... “I'm sorry, Kay.” He said softly. What more could you say about such tragedy? A healer? He looked at her. “Yeah... I can totally see you doing that.” He said with a nod. “I always wanted to be either a professional Quidditch player... or be on the stage.” He laughed - somewhere he could show off and be the centre of attention. In his own egotistic opinion, he would be such an awesome actor. “...but I'm having second thoughts after what happened last year. I wanna help people too but I'm not sure I'm smart enough to go in for Law.” Shrug. Healing? Guh... no.. hospitals terrified the twitchy boy.

He looked away from Kay and thought he was seeing things at first but sure enough, there was Rex. Sigh. Had kay told him where they were meeting? His eyes were flat as he looked at the boy, mouth smiling but nothing about the rest of his expression was happy. What was his deal!? Looking at Kay he cocked an eyebrow wondering whether she would allow this incredibly unsubtle disturbance to abruptly end their conversation.

"I have no idea," Antonia said honestly. "Maybe we should try and use someone else to try to get information back to us, if we can. We don't seem to be finding much out on our own."

Carter ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Why was nobody listening to him? First it was Ella about Nate, and now it was the two of them about Evan. But if they were just going to be stubborn about it he couldn't do much. He started to get the same feeling he did around Ella. This was not going to be a good term for the three of them.

"I'd like to introduce you sometime." he said unaware of the look Mina was giving him. "Ella has already met her and likes her. I'm hoping we could all hang out together sometime."

Kay heard Rex and looked up. "Oh, god." She said puting her head down. She didn't want to fight with him. She just wanted him to trust her. "Rex, I'll Talk to you in a few minutes. I have to do this by myself. Please don't be mad." Kay said Looking back to Oliver.

Was she bottling things up? Was she letting her anger get the better of her? "I don't want to fight with anyone. I just get really mad sometimes and I don't know what to do." She said pulling at the grass. "I do hold things in and then...well I lost a friend because of it." She said pulling the grass a little harder. "It's was in my first year. I...ummm...I blow up our common room when I got mad and lost control of my magic." She said looking away from Oliver. She had already hurt him once with magic and she didn't want him to think she was...well. Nuts? Maybe.

Giggling about the little push, Her eyes grow wide. "Captain? Really? That's great!" She said hopping up and down on her knees a little. "You'll be great, and I won't tell Miranda if you don't want me to. But you know she will fine out at try out." She said happy for her friend. "Yeah and everything is fare on the Quidditch pitch, ok?" She said think if she was a beater again this year she would be going after him.

Lossing her smile Kay sat back down and sighed. "Don't be. I still haven't found out how it happened and their bodies were never found." She said taking his hand. "Thanks for caring. I think thats why the Healer. I want to make sure people know why things happen to their family." She said taking her hand back and smiling shyly. "I don't know anything about being an actor. But you will be good, no great at it, I think." She said as she saw Rex. 'no, he was not suppose to be here.' She looked at Oliver and shrugged. "Sorry he wasn't suppose to be here. I will talk to him later. Right now we are talking and that is very important to me." She said hoping Oliver would understand.

Mina couldn't help but want to roll her eyes. Did he seriously think that she wanted to be introduced to he's newest snake. He really must be delusional or something, but she kept her fake smile on her face. "Sure, sounds like fun." she replied. Really she had no desire at all to hang out together, but he didn't need to know that at the moment. Plus, she highly doubted it would happen anyway. She had already learned from the previous terms that she shouldn't get her hopes up when it came to seeing any of her besties. She had made the effect before and it really got her no where, so this term she would just use that energy elsewhere.

Slowly, she got up off her rock and dusted herself off. The overwhelming urge to get away was starting to settle in. She needed to not be around Carter at the moment. Shaking her head, she reached for her bag and swung it over her shoulder. "It was nice seeing you Carter, but I kind of have to be somewhere." she smiled meekly. "I'm sure, I'll see you around." She highly doubted it but she acted as if she believed it. Giving him another meek tiny smile, she turned on her heals and started to walk away. She had the feeling it wouldn't be the last time she'd be walking away from him.

Simon smiled at Antonia, "I have no idae too." He sighed, he really wanted to know what is going on. "I think that is a good idea, but who can we try, do you think Gran would know what is going on?" He wasn't sure if she would but they needed to know something, didn't they.

"Oh... right..." Carter said as Mina got up. Was she keeping something from him? "I'll see you later then." he said. He waved as she walked away. He sighed and then turned around and kicked a rock. What was going on with everyone this term? Had he upset them in some way?

Kay! <3
 

Oliver shook his head sadly. “Have you ever thought it might be because you let people walk all over you?” He asked her directly, raising his eyebrows. “You're a tough girl – I've seen you in action.” He smirked a little. “There's no reason why you should repress what you're feeling.” No.. cos it could end badly as Oliver knew all to well. He listened to her in silence as she spoke of blowing up the common room, though a flash of amusement crossed his features. A small snicker escaped him at the mental image of it - he wasn't making fun of Kay, it was just funny to think that she'd blown up the Huffie common room. hehe!

He grinned – he assumed Kay knew about his Captainship. “Thanks.” he replied and looked down at his shiny badge – yeah.. he was proud of himself over this. “Oh no..” He shook his head and smirked. “I am not showing my fear to her. This is just our secret, okay?” Hehe. He nodded. “Fair as in how?” He asked suspiciously. "You mean no foul play? Pffft.. as if.” He teased with a grin on his face.

He went quiet again as she spoke of her family. “Maan.. that must be hard to deal with.” He said with a shake of the head. “The not knowing, I mean.” He patted her arm not really knowing how to console her but gave her hand a small squeeze when she took his before letting go and nodding – yeah, he cared. “I think you'd be awesome at it, Kay.” He said genuinely. He laughed about his acting – he would love that but he could never really see it happening. “I need to go to that jobs fair thingy. See if the professionals can suggest something.” because in reality Oliver was clueless about what he wanted to do when he left school.

He watched the interaction between Kay and Rex with slight mocking humour in his green eyes. The guy was possessive – that was his problem. The fact that he actually thought Oliver was a threat was amusing to the Slytherin. “I'm not angry.” He replied to Kay after Dog!Boy had gone. “Just a bit irritated. I don't think he wants us to be friends, does he?” Nope – and Oliver just found that weird.

Feeling a little small all of a sudden, Kay looked at him. "Yes I know i do that. I just don't like hurting peoples feelings. I just want to have friends and have fun." Kay said not really knowing what she wanted. "Really after I lost my parents, I just didn't want to lose more people, so..." She didn't want to make people mad. So she just let everyone walk on her. She would do anything to make them happy. She didn't worry about her self. "I guess I just let them walk on me so I won't be alone any more. I don't like being a lone." She said hoping she wasn't making her lasted friend want to run from her. "Sorry I should be dumping on you. I just want to say I was sorry. Not talk your ear off." She said wanting to change the subject.

Quidditch that was a free subject. "Ok Maybe Quidditch won't be fair but it will be fun." She said smiling again. Quidditch was a safe subject and she acted like herself when she played. "I don't worry about anything but the win out there. I'm more myself." She continued. "Miranda won't know anything from me." Kay said taking the hand he spit on and shaking it. "But You didn't think I'd shake it did ya?" She said laughing. Tomboy that was her. The really her, before...*sigh* her parents..."Wish I could get out on the Pitch and just fly. It helps me think." She said looking up at the sky.

Listening to Oliver talk about Rex again, she was shaking her head. "I don't know whats wrong with him. He has never acted like this before." She said sadly not know what was going on. "He is acting like...no he could be...the green eyeed moster was so there.

Ginny walked towards The Front Gate and saw Kay as she needed to ask her something. "Kay. Sorry to bug you. Rex sent me here to ask you if you still have feelings for him?", said Ginny to Kay.

This couldn't be happening. Rex had sent Ginny to talk to her? Now? What was he thinking? "Hi, Ginny." Kay siad patting the ground next to her. "I what you to meet someone." She didn't know what else to do. Kay didn't want to talk about Rex right now. She wanted to talk to Oliver. *grrr* "Ginny this is my friend Oliver. Oliver this is my cousin Ginny." There that part was done. Where to go with this? "Ginny, thanks for being nice to Rex and coming all the way down here. But, I really don't want to talk about Rex right now." she said hoping that Ginny would understand. "This isn't about him. I needed to do this on my own and Rex doesn't understand." She said leaning in to whisper to her. "Tell that man of mine that he still has to marry me and that I love him." She said so only ginny could hear. "Ok, Tell him I just need to do this and not to let that green eyed monstor out. To trust me." She said smiling at Ginny.

"Hi Oliver", said Ginny. "Alright I understand if you don't want to talk to Rex. Rex just couldn't do it himself", explained Ginny. "Really?", whispered Ginny with a smile. "Ok I will tell him", whispered Ginny back.

"Thanks Ginny. Your being a good friend." Kay said turning back to Oliver and hoping he still wanted to finish their talk. "Just tell him ok." She said hopefully and that this would end it.

"Yes I have", said Ginny. "Sorry to disturbed you and Oliver", said Ginny turing around.

Kay and Ginny! <3
 

Oliver pulled a face. Maybe that was a little too bold of him, but then Oliver had never been one to hold back what he wanted to say. He was just being honest. “I'm sorry.” He said softly. “I shouldn't have said that.” He gave her a weak smile and sighed. 'Motormouth strikes again – well done, dude.' “All I'm saying is be yourself, 'kay? No one is going to judge you for your opinions. They'll respect you... and if they don't then they're not worth your time.” Right? Right. But then not everyone was as thick skinned and as seemingly emotionally untouchable as Oliver was.

He shook his head. “I said I would listen if you wanted to talk.” Maybe that's all he should be doing. Listening and not giving his blunt opinion. Meh.. he just couldn't help himself could he? But he sensed that Kay wanted to move away from the subject and that was fine by him.

Ah.. Quidditch – a much nicer topic of conversation. “Quidditch will be fun. I can't wait to get up there on my broom.” He squinted up at the sky. He looked back at Kay when she said she was more herself. “It's sort of freeing isn't it? I know what you mean. If I was an animagus, I'd be a bird I think.” he grinned. Ah man, she shook his hand. He laughed warmly, highly amused by this and shook his head. “It's definitely a first.” hehe! “But it seals the deal. I go on another rampage and you're free to hex my nose off.” He winked. “Oh... and I get to return the favour if you ever go mental.” Grin. But that wasn't going to happen again, was it? Surely the chances of being Imperuised once in your life were small enough. “Yeah.. I wish we were allowed to fly around the grounds.” He nodded in agreement.

Oliver frowned but remained silent as Kay spoke of Rex. He didn't know what to make of the kid's behaviour. “...I could always talk to him.” He suggested and couldn't help a small smirk from curling up his lips. Yeah... Oliver could make the guy see sense. Heh heh.

He was about to say something else when another girl appeared whom Oliver assumed was a friend of Kay's at first. He clenched his jaw, obviously more than a little irritated when it appeared Rex had sent her to bother them. But.. it wasn't her fault, was it? “Hi Kay's cousin Ginny.” He smiled warmly at her and sort of waved. He looked away when the two girl's started whispering. Maybe he should just leave them to it...

He stood and brushed the grass and dirt from his robes. “Look. I'm going to head back to the castle, Kay.” No.. he didn't particularly want to go -he was enjoying chatting to Kay- but he didn't want to get riled up any more over Rex. Normally one to let things go over his head, Rex was starting to reh-heally grate on his nerves.

Oliver! :)
 

"Hi", said Ginny softly. "You must be Oliver right?", asked Ginny. "I'm going to go anyway if you want me to. I really don't mind. I'll let you and Kay get on with each other", said Ginny.

Looking at Oliver when he said sorry, she didn't understnd why. "Why are you sorry. No need to be. Your right. I guess I wanted friends so bad that I get overly protective and well...end up fighting when I shouldn't. Then I..." She shouldn't be like that. She should just let people do what they wanted and not get into it. "I do try to speak my mind and that's what starts the fight. Im not very good at talking to people." She said blushing a little. She really wasn't good at it.

"Thanks I think I need someone that will listen to me. Everyone else just wants me to listen, and not so much talk." She said wondering if Oliver really what to hear all her boowoo's. Maybe be older he was just trying to be nice to the little girl. God she felt so small next to him and a little stupid to. "Do you really want to be put through all of this. This girl stuff?" She said thinking not all girl stuff.

"A bird? Really? Not something bigger like a dragon. That's what I would be. I love them. They so...free." She said looking back up into the sky. "Quidditch is great. I don't see why everyone wouldn't want to play. I have wanted to be up there, flying...well forever." She said day dreaming a little. "I didn't have friends that liked to play so my dad would play with me." She said smiling at the thought. "Harry gave me my first snitch, but I'm not fast enough. But I try." She said smiling and laughing at the memory. "No rules when we are help there. but friends on the ground?" She asked hoping he would say yes to it.

Thinking about Oliver talking to Rex made her feel better. Maybe Oliver could get Rex to understnad about the trust they should have. "Really? I don't know. Maybe it would be good. I don't think he trust me and I don't know why." She said when Ginny walked over and sat by her. 'Why was this happening.' She whisper to Ginny and told Oliver who she was. Then Oliver was getting up. 'What NO!' She thought grabbing Oliver hand . "PLEASE! Don't go. Please." She said feeling stupid again and she had grabbed Oliver. Looking at their hands Kay stood up to fast and fall into him. 'Oh god could this day get any worst. "I am so sorry." Kay said not knowing what else to say. she just stood there stairing at Oliver hopping he wouldn't go. Why did people keep getting in the way of this....talk?

"Rex or Oliver?", whispered Ginny. "Kay. Take it easy. Relax", said Ginny calmy. Ginny looked from Kay to Oliver. She thought that Kay wasn't as calm as Ginny thought she'd be.

"Oliver", called out Ginny. "Don't go. I will. I just came here for Rex. That's all. Let me go", said Ginny.

"She might," Antonia said. "Chances are she knows more about what's going on than we do."

Simon looked at his Cousin and comb his hair, with his hand whilest thinking what to say next. "So do you think it is worth both off us sending her an owl?" Simon suddenly wanted to run to the owlery but decided against it for the moment.

Oliver just sat there quietly... unusually so as he listened to Kay. He didn't ever expect her to open up to him like this when he said he would listen but he was pleased that she had. Everyone needed someone to talk to and Oliver was a lot more perceptive than the defensive act he put on most of the time suggested. “I don't think that.” He said quietly. “You're talking to me, now and you seem rather good at it.” He gave her a small smile. He didn't get why people fought with Kay – she was a nice girl. It didn't make sense. He shrugged at her question. “I don't mind.” Then grinned at the girl stuff bit. “Urm.. maybe not all the details there, eh?” He smirked. “Go bend Miranda's ear... or Sarah's.” He suggested with a small chuckle to show that he was joking.

A dragon? Woah! He'd never thought of that. That would be waaaaay cool but you'd have to be pretty good at Transfiguration.. which he wasn't. He laughed a bit at her next comment. He never had that problem – 'just talk loud enough to make sure you're heard.' He thought but refrained from saying it. Maybe Miranda had been right that time she said he was obnoxious. Meh. “Well I hope you make the team.” He nodded. He listened to her as she talked about Quidditch – she really loved it. “Your dad must be pretty cool.” He commented. “Maybe one day you'll be Seeker too.” Oliver much preferred to be within the action on the pitch as a beater or chaser. He wasn't yet sure which position he would be taking himself this year. “I lived in the muggle world until I was twelve and never got to play before then. But I've got six half brothers and they're always willing to practice with me.” He smiled and nodded. “Even if you knock me off my broom up there Kay, it'll be like it never happened once we get off the pitch.” He laughed at this thought. The girl had a mean swing from what he had seen of her playing. Yep – those Badgers sure had sharpe claws on the Quidditch pitch.

Yeah... but would Rex listen? Oliver frowned a little as he thought about this. “I'd be willing to try.” He shrugged. “It's not like I hate him or anything.. I mean I barely know the dude.” Nope – but he'd seen a slightly unpleasant side of the kid. “Trusts you?” He questioned, an eyebrow cocking. “Are you and he...?” He trailed off as it suddenly dawned on him what Rex must be thinking. His eyes widened a little. Oh gawd – that was just so.... Pffft.. as if the Slytherin would be interested in a third year – no offence to Kay of course but ya know - it was ludicrous!

Well.. now did seem like a good time to get going, but Kay had grabbed his hand and his eyes went wider as she yelled at him to stay. He swallowed and stared at her as she hauled herself to her feet only to stumble into him which caused him to stumble backwards a bit. “Merlin, Kay.” He muttered as he steadied them both. “Are you alright?” Oh maan.. what should he do now? He didn't want to leave Kay when she was so distressed but things had suddenly become rather awkward. Crap crap crap. “Calm dowm... I'll - I'll stay.” He said if only to get that look off her face. And then Ginny was whispering again and Oliver took his hand back rather abruptly. “You don't have to go.” He said to Ginny. Like, really.. please stay? Guh.

Ginny sat there confused looking at Oliver. She felt the grass she was sitting on and sat up against a tree. "I know you and Kay are sort of confused of why I'm here... I guess. "Alright..... - I'll stay if you want me too", Ginny told Oliver.

"Yeah, I do," Antonia said. "I think we should go to the owlery now and send her an owl right away, what do you think?" Somehow she had the strangest feeling that this was an urgent situation but wasn't sure exactly why.

Feel like she was on fire. Kay knew her face was red. *god i just fell into him.* She couldn't think. This was not going the way it was suppose to. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell or fell on you." She said hurriedly. "This is not the way it should have been. I just want to talk to you and say sorry. But it's looking like I can't even do that right." She just couldn't believe that Rex had sent Ginny out to find out that was going on. How Oliver was feeling...well she couldn't tell. But he looked like he wanted to run. "This just can't be happening. Why can't I do anything right." She picked up her robe and put it back on. She just wanted to go hide some where and again had the feeling of wanting to go home. "Oliver I'm sorry. But I think I have to...umm..be in class? No, homework." *Boy that sounded good I didn't even know where to say I was going.* "Ummm....we can..a..talk later." She said starting to walk away. "Talk to Ginny. She's nice." Yap that was good, stupid. "I'm really sorry about our talk. Maybe we will be able to...*to what? be stalked? talk? never want to be in my line of sight again* ...talk." She said as Kay turned to run off before Oliver could stop her.

Oh maan.. Kay seemed so stressed. Oliver grimaced and shook his head. “It's alright.” He said but knew his reassurances were falling on deaf ears. They talked – they talked about things other than the curse and that was a good thing and Oliver would have been quite happy to sit chat to Kay longer. She was a cool girl but whatever it was Rex had got into his head was, like, seriously crazy.

Well this was awkward. Oliver backed away a few paces and watched Kay run off. He sighed and looked at the Ginny. “Er.. I'm going to head back too...” He rubbed the back of neck as he looked at the kid, then turned and started towards the castle deliberately not allowing himself to catch up with Kay. What was wrong with everyone around here? Seriously.

Ginny looked around to see where Kay was running to. "Kay", called out Ginny but it didn't seem like Kay could hear. Ginny had turned now to Oliver and looked down at the ground. "Yeah...", muttered Ginny. Ginny look towards Kay. "Look, go after Kay, Oliver. Go now before you lose sight of her. I'm going to go now anyway", Ginny explained to Oliver.

Simon looked at Antonia. "I think we should." Simon smiled, he looked at his cousin, she had no idea how important she was to the world and he wasn't allowed to tell her. "So what should we say?"

"Well, I definitely think we need to let her know that we're concerned because neither your dad or my dad are acting the way they normally would. They're making it perfectly obvious that they're keeping something from us, and we really need to know what the problem is. If it's something that affects our family, then it definitely affects all of us. That's what I think we should say, but maybe not quite in those words," Antonia said thoughtfully.

Simon looked at Antonia and gave her a great big hug. "I know there was some reason I kept you around." He joked as he thought about what to say next. "I think that is excellent, we need to know because as you say this could have something to do with us." Simon let go off Antonia and then looked straight into her eyes. "I have a feeling something terrible is about to happen." He didn't know why but he had this feeling.

Snow meandered out from the building and looked around. It seemed like the last few days had passed by in a blur...

Noticing Mina, he approached... "Hey Mina! Hows it goin?"

Mina glanced up from her journal and smiled. Snow! She hadn't seen him in some time. Setting her journal down, she shrugged. "Hey kiddo. Blah," she laughed. "Trying to get some of this homework done and all," she motioned to the things on the ground before her. There was so much to do and so little time. Plus adding the fear of what Professor Vindictus might do if their house didn't straighten up and start working, she needed to get all her work done like yesterday.

Ellie walked around the grounds when she came upon the front gates. It made her feel odd, knowing that this was the outer possible limits. She didn't even realize people were allowed to come by here. But looking around, she saw plenty of other students standing around, chatting casually. Oh well. There was also that Ravenclaw that she'd seen around. In classes, and in the common room and stuff. She went over to her.

"Hello." she felt kind of awkward, but didn't let it show. Mostly everyone was so nice, and thought it weird to be awkward.

Mina glanced over as she heard another voice. It appeared her spot had become somewhat a gathering spot for her fellow 'claws. Great minds do think a like...

"Hello," she smiled as she kind of recognized the first year. She was getting rather better at remembering people now. "Ellie, right? I'm Mina."

Ellie returned the smile.

"Right. Nice to meet you Mina." she said. She wondered exactly why she wanted to talk to her. Not that she had anything against her. She just kinda thought it was odd.... After school had officially started, she had friends, and wasn't going up to random people to talk to them to make friends. But, here she was. Striking up conversation with a stranger. Ah, well.

"Nice to meet you as well,"Mina replied as she glanced over to her bag. Leaning down she pulled out a box and set it on her lap. "I was just about to offer Snow a cupcake," she added as she open the lid to show them her cupcakes she made in Charms. "They are kind of our house colour and they are rather yummy too." At least, she thought so. They were her pick me ups for her long study sessions. Sugar was definitely needed to help her get through all the homework she had.

Ellie watched her take a box out of her bag, wondering what was inside. Oh! Cupcakes! She looked over at.. Snow? she guessed... and smiled.

"They do look nice. Kind of Cinderella-y." Ellie smile and nodded.

Mina giggled slightly and nodded. They did look a bit Cinderella-y, but their did kind of live in a fairy tale-ish kind of place. They had a castle and evil witches and all that jazz. The cupcakes were rather fitting. "They do, don't they?" she laughed as she held the box out for both of them to take one if they wanted. "I baked a lot of them so, do help yourself. Sugar helps me study sometime," she explained before using her free hand to open her notebook.

Ellie laughed.

She took a small cupcake. "Thank you very much." she said. Tehe. She was being unusually polite.

Mina smiled back and closed the box after taking a cupcake out herself. It appeared Snow was spacing off or something. Shrugging it off, she turned her attention back to Ellie as she set the box down. "Your welcome," she replied. It was nice to see there were polite people still around. Peeling away the liner, she started to pick at the cupcake. "So what brings you out here, most people don't come out here that often."

Ack! Why do people always ask questions right after you take a bite of something? Especially delicious cupcakes that you want to savor? She chewed quickly before swallowing.

"Just exploring," she shrugged, "Walking around, enjoying the air and stuff." Lame. "And you?"

Sorry for the delay....needed to work offline for a bit
 

Mina giggled slightly. She did always have the worst timing. Picking at her cupcake still, she popped a piece in her mouth as she listened.

"I used to explore a lot when I was a first year," she smiled as she thought about it. "In fact, it was when I was exploring first year, I found this place. But there are so many cool spots on the grounds to explore. Me? Well, I'm out here doing my homework. The library is a bit too stuffy for me today."

Ellie nodded. There were tons of places. And she didn't want to miss anything or have regrets when she was older.

And that makes sense, "I don't much like the library either. Too many.. books." She wrinkled her nose. Was it weird for a Ravenclaw to not like books?

Mina nodded and laughed softly, still picking at her cupcake. "Don't get my wrong, I adore the library here. I could live there most days, but you know I think that place has eyes and ears sometimes." she replied. It was a place of study but she had a feeling that more than studying was done there. She remembered certain couples of the past always studying there.

"Besides, the fresh air is rather nice. I always seem to do my Transfiguration better outdoors anyway." It was true, being outside did always seem to make it easier for her.

Ellie nodded. Libraries seemed..that way. Too many busy bodies or something.

"I love being outside." she sighed. "Transfiguration? Why?" Specifically transfiguration? Strange... but not terribly. She'd seen much worse. Just look at her brother... Now HE was odd.

Then she snapped her fingers, "Speaking of transfiguration, have you done the homework yet? I still need a partner." Please be my partner, please be my partner. She just wanted to get all her homework done with.

Mina smiled and shrugged slightly. "I think it has to do with the fresh air." she explained. "Helps me clear my head and all." Yes, that was probably it.

Stopping to think for the briefest of seconds, she shook her head. "I haven't started on it yet. I usually partner with one of my best friends, but they are too busy." she sighed. She really didn't want to think about Carter and Ella not working with her, so she shoved the thoughts to the bad of her head. "How about we work together?"

Ellie shrugged.

"Sure, let's." Yup. Transfiguration is about to be done. Yay!

Mina smiled as she reached for her Transfiguration and then picked up a stone from the ground. "Professor Kingsley did say we could use anything, right?" she asked. There wasn't much in her bag and she wasn't about to use her cupcakes. That would be messing and she still have memories of how using food wouldn't be wise from the lesson.

Ellie nodded again. "He did.." Then she went digging around in her bag for something.. She found a small racecar toy. Now, how did that get in there. She gave Mina a sheepish smile. "Must've been a 'going away' gift from my brother." She shrugged. It wasn't as though he didn't have hundreds of others.

Mina nodded as she rolled the stone in the palm of her hand. It wasn't much, but it would have to do for now. Seeing the little toy, she smiled. "Cute gift, I'm sure he wouldn't mind us using it." It was small and just the right size to start with. Start small and work your way up, yes that's the way to do it.

Ellie laughed. "He's probably even forgot about it. He had a million of these things. Our cousin gets them from happy meals at muggle fast food restaurants and gives them to him." She smiled. Kids were so cute. "They eat out a lot." she added. It was true... Well anyway, she took out her wand and pointed at the toy, picturing a small wrist watch. Round and around and around and a flick, "Horolos!" And a little plain watch appeared. It was something. She looked at Mina and smiled. Her turn.

Izzy
 

Olivia sat on her neon colored bags, crying. Lexi's letter had not been good, that dreadful Savannah was coming to Hogwarts. Olivia couldn't stay. She just couldn't bare it. She couldn't be near that girl at all. She had spoken to nearly everyone today but Aiden, the one person she needed to talk to. She needed to warn him that Savannah was on her way to Hogwarts right now. Ugh...

Mina smiled as she listened. Her siblings never left her things in her bag, but then again she probably wouldn't like that either. Her siblings would probably left her more unpleasant things for sure. "Happy meals? Those sound...interesting." She would have to ask her cousin about them for sure.

Watching Ellie, she smiled as the little toy car transfigured into a watch. That was pretty cool, she had to admit. Pulling out her own wand, she pictured a silver pocket watch clearly in her mind. Twirling her wand in a clockwise manner tightly, round and round and round, she gave it a flick. "Horolos!" Soon in the place of the stone was a silver watch. Looking at it, she grinned happily. It was rather nice, if she could say so herself.

Aiden knew that Olivia wanted to meet up with him, but he really wasn't sure why it was so urgent. He strolled further towards the front gate, but stopped when at the sight of his friend. Crying. Sitting on her suitcases? This only meant one thing: Savvy was coming. "Liv," he said, hustling over to her. "Don't leave. Even if she's coming, you can handle her. I'll make her be nice.."

Olivia shook her head as Aiden spoke, she looked up at him."I have to Aiden. I can't be here when she is here, I just can't do it."she said. Olivia was going to miss Aiden a whole bunch."I'm sorry..."She said, looking at him.

Aiden frowned. Well, it looked like Aiden couldn't exactly change much now, seeing as the girl was all packed and ready. "It's okay.. I sorta understand, now that you've explained how she's been to you and all." Sigh. Liv was such a great friend too, and already she had to leave.

Olivia shrugged her shoulders as she wiped her eyes."I just can't let her control me."she said, with a sigh. "Don't let her control you either, Aiden."She said, looking at him strenly.

"Control me?! Olivia, I believe you have forgotten that I am utterly out of control." Aiden grinned. But it was so sad to see Olivia like this! He shoved his hands in his pockets and shook his head. "So.. are you going back to Beauxbatons?"

Maddie sat down and pulled out her new notebook. She'd had to buy a new one, since the old one was at the bottom of the lake. That was incredibly irritating, as it had all her songs from the past two years in it. She put her head in her hands. Maddie couldn't believe she'd only backed up ten of at least a hundred songs...

Justin saw Maddie sat on a rock by herself. He also saw Carter was there too writing on stones. He sat on the rock beside Maddie and smiled at her. New notebook?" he asked. He remembered the old one looked kind of old. He looked at Carter again. "He seems a little bored" he said to Maddie.

Maddie lifted her head from her hands to see Justin, talking to her. she sighed
'Yeah, it's new. The old one's at the bottom of the lake. Mermaids are probably reading all my songs from the past two years' she said, and then giggled. Mermaids... or perhaps the squid? Yeah, the squid. It was reading all her stuff and laughing.

Justin smiled a little. "Well if they are I'm sure they'll be saying they're amazing" he replied. He knew that wasn't very convincing but he thought the song's were amazing even if the mermaids didn't.

Maddie laughed
'Some of them were good' she said, thinking of it 'But some were terrible! Oh well... anyway, do mermaids even know english? Or just... Mermish?' she giggled at that. Mermaid school, underwater - were all the mermaids learnt to speak and read and write and swim.

OOC: Yes. This is because I am hyper. Blame the sugar :xd:

Justin laughed at Maddie. "I honestly don't know. Why don't we go find out" he replied trying not to laugh. "Who know's. They might teach us some Mermish or something" he added. He remembered eating a load of cauldron cakes in the boy's dorm with Logan and Diggy and the sugar still hadn't warn off yet.

OOC: I'm hyper too

Maddie grinned
'Yeah, but I'm alright. Been swimming twice today already. I'm ready to just sit in the sun for now. But maybe another time we could. they could show us around their mermaid city. Or wherever it is they live...' she rolled her eyes 'Sorry, I'm just hyper at the moment. Too many sugar quills. And my hayfever medicine sometimes sends me hyper too. There's sugar in it...'