Hmm was that alright? Whatever Helena told the mirror?

Well, she did something she thought she'd never do, and that was talking to herself in the mirror, and talked about one of her goals and how she was going to achieve it. Yup, definitely alright.

But as she was glaring looking at her ponytail, which looked just good, but not good enough for her, she heard... something. The girl looked around curiously and noticed a... probably a first year. And by the uniform, she looked like a Ravenclaw firstie. Hehe.

Now... should she say anything? Yes, she knew that she probably looked like a fool as she was talking to herself in the mirror. "Is there... something wrong?" Helena asked, as she took a glimpse of the girl's hands, full of ink.

Dah…stupid me, Gwen told herself trying to stop grinning, but couldn’t. Even if it was for the DADA assignment/ homework/ whatever that was it still seemed weird talking to yourself in the mirror.

‘Nothing’, Gwen mumbled. Nothing’s wrong…, Then, realizing that this answer seemed idioticall, she tried looking for an excuse. Not being able to find one, the ravvie decided to tell the truth (partially).

‘Well, I actually hope to be able to fly too… but I don’t think I ever will’, she said. Good enough?

And finally, back to the ink...

Nothing? Hehe. That's what everyone said all the time.

Helena shrugged, then turned back to what she was doing before. Glaring at her reflexion, of course. She's not going to talk anymore, since she was not alone.

But then she got another answer. The girl couldn't help but smile. "If that helps, all I could do last term was just hover a little bit above the ground," she assured the Ravenclaw girl, pretty much proud of herself. She came to Hogwarts for her first year ready to refuse to take the flying class.

"I was terrible," she added with a grin. She also had no idea why she was telling all this to this girl. Maybe she actually was trying to make her feel better. Definitely not sure if it will work.

As Gwen started to get mad at her for all the stupid things she had done that day, she heard the other girl talk. ‘It helps’, she nodded. It’s good to know I’m not the only scary cat around.

‘Yeah…I did about the same at my first flying class’, she announced. Yup, she remembered raising so much from the ground, (that her feet still reached the grass) and getting scared. ‘Worst part is, I went to the second lesson too. I thought I could do it if I try really hard. ‘, she went on, not sure if she should talk about it. ‘But it wasn’t to easy. We had to fly through those burning barrels’. AAA! Flashback!

‘Now I’m quite sure I’m not going to try flying ever again’, she explained.

Helena grinned the moment the girl told her that she helped... somehow. Yup, Helena was proud of herself; about the flying, of course. That scar that was hiding under her left sleeve was still there to remind her of how good she was when it came to flying.

She listened carefully to what the girl was telling her, but at some point, she could feel her eyes go wiiiiide. "What did you have to do?" BURNING WHAAAAT?!

Well, after last year's flying exam, Helena had kind of figured out that professor Vindictus had some rather... original ideas. But burning barrels?!

Stupid ink. Stupid drawing. Stupid Gwen. Why won’t it come off? My hands look like the paws of a Dalmatian, ‘Do you know any spell that could help me?’, she asked. Pleasee?

‘Yeah…well, we had to fly through 18 or 20 burning barrels.’, she said. ‘It was awful’. Not to mention I only flied through 2 of them, the ravvie thought. ‘Anyways, I was shocked when the lesson started. I mean, I had expected something normal, like at the first class. When it was all just to keep your balance on the broom’ Thing I didn’t even succeed in doing, she wanted to add but didn’t. Let’s just stop here and not make myself look like an idiot (anymore).

‘Eh… I’m Gwen, by the way’, she said grinning. ‘If you don’t mind, I’ll shake your hand a bit later’.

Help? Hmmm?

Oh. "Oh, sorry," Helena giggled, as she noticed that the girl's hands were still full of ink. "Hold up your hands," she said, as she started rummaging around the pockets of her robes for her wand. She took it with her, riiiiight? Yes, she had to. She was always carrying it with her.

As the girl went on, Helena's eyes got wider and wider. Was he INSANE?! "He... definitely didn't make us do that last term," she managed to mumble, still shocked. Ah, she remembered her first flying lesson, when he took twenty points from Slytherin and... Hufflepuff? They were all in the negatives then, hehe. But seriously, what happened to the man? Maybe it was... the old age? "But if he had made us fly through... those things, I would have definitely run away." Yup, that would've been the wisest thing to do.

"It's nice to meet you," she said, grinning back. "I'm Helena." And... yes, they'll shake hands after Gwen holds up hers for Helena to clean.

Gwen held up her hands and waited for the other girl to do something. However, she wasn’t sure of what she should feel now. Should I get scared of letting her do spells on me? She’s not much older than me, anyways, so… this would better go well. Or, let’s see the bright side of this- I’ll get rid of the ink!

‘I really hope I’m going to be able to learn how to fly…sometime’, she said. After a short break, she added: ‘I don’t even think I’ll show up to the next flying class’

Ah, another flashback: she was on her broom- stuck in that burning barrel, not being able to move. This is definitely in the top 3 most scary things that ever happened to me, she thought.

HA! There was her wand!

But... the girl looked slightly... doubtful? Eeeeh, no worries. Helena was one of the Charms stars, or whatever professor Descoteaux had called her and a few others.

She pointed her wand at Gwen's outstretched hands, and said "Scourgify." There. They were cleany clean. And... "You should get used to this spell," the girl giggled. "If you want to do well in Potions." Yes, Helena will NEVER forget the five C's of potion making with professor Lafay, and the most important of them. Not after her first Potions lesson, when the woman made her and a few others start over with the potion because they didn't clean the cauldron first. Hehe.

Hmm was Helena supposed to tell Gwen to never give up like she did, or tell her not to go anymore to the second insane man. Shaw will always be the first in Helena's top. "You should do whatever you think it's the best," she finally said with a smile. And yes, she knew that she was not helping.

‘Thanks’, Gwen replied after Helena actually succeeded in getting that ink off her hands. Thanks a lot! Anyways, I’m never ever going to try drawing with ink, she decided. Or…maybe…? After all, I can use this spell to get rid of the ink.

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do’, the ravvie said, and, after making a short break, she added: ‘Or at least not alone. But I don’t want to practice with someone that knows how to fly, so that I'll look silly. I want to train with someone that won’t laugh… so hard if I fall’, and then she looked at Helena. How about… you?

It was definetly busy in here, noted the Malfoy as she stepped in. The blonde Malfoy stepped into the bathroom to check her appearance. She was meeting up with her boyfriend and wanted to make sure she looked great or at least better than presentable. Emma reached into her bag and pulled out her little palette of blush. Taking out her brush, she sighed and looked into the mirror. The Slytherin was excited. She had just received an owl telling her that her bestie was coming back to Hogwarts next year. And Ellie was looking better too. And Emma had Braeden- his handsome smile and goofy nature, cheered her up always. He always managed to get a smile on her face.

As she started to apply the blush, the blonde noticed a familiar face. It was Stella, who was also putting on make-up. Emma gave her a smile and turned to face her. "Hey Stella. Long time no see. How are you?" asked the Malfoy, with a friendly smile on her face.

After she finished powdering her nose, Stella began combing her still humming to herself. She loved seeing herself in the mirror especially, when it's silent and no one is interrupting her. She sighed, she just now realized that this is going to be her final year at Hogwarts. Ever since her fifth year, after she left Beauxtons, she cursed this place everyday but, only this year she began to appreciate this school. She had the urge to cry, but she just couldn't let her emotions conquer her.

Someone talked to her. She was probably too concerned about her appearances that she didn't notice her friend, Emma entering the bathroom, and she dressed up fancy. "Hey Em," she said turning to her, hesitating if she should hug her, "yeah it really has been a long time. Oh... I'm great a bit tired from the studying, and maybe also a bit distraught, because I really don't want the year to end." She flicked her hair over her shoulder looking at her glamorous friend . "So enough about me... Why are you dressed-up so glamorously, are you going on a... date???"

Emma noticed that Stella was hesitating about something and then decided to hug the Ravenclaw. "Ah.. Studying. That's always good," she added with a wink. The blonde blushed as Stella asked her why she was dressed up. "Yeah. Going on a date with my boyfriend, Braeden. He's in the Gryffindor House," she added. "And I'm glad I'm not wearing high heels because my feet are sore from Quidditch."

"You look very pretty. No beautiful. How long have you been in here for?" she complimented her friend, knowing Stella loved her looks. And besides it was true, Stella looked stunning.

Helena didn't say anything else, just grinned when she noticed how relieved Gwen looked after she cleaned her hands. Seeeee? She didn't accidentally destroyed her hands. Hehe.

Uhhh the girl could tell that Gwen was thinking about her. And... yes, it would be great to practice with her, since it looked like they were both some natural disasters at flying, but... there was something on Helena's mind. "Do you think we're allowed to practice on our own? Or... do you think that you are allowed? I mean... you know the problem with the first years." And she really hoped that Gwen will understand that she was referring to the problem that they weren't allowed to have their own broomstick, so maybe they also weren't allowed to fly on their own.

And besides, professor Vindictus did take points from a couple of first years last term, and Helena surely didn't want that.

Gwen started thinking about how she could practice flying. ‘Why would it be forbidden to try? Why else is the practice pitch there?’ Probably it’s only for the Quidditch teams? It can’t be… I know- I am sure I saw some first years there too…

‘Hmm? The Problem with the first years?’, Gwen asked, but then, not willing to sound stupid she added: ‘Um… yeah-yeah, sure…’ while nodding. Of course, she had absolutely no idea what that could be. Maybe it’s the thing with taking points?

And…if I’m allowed to practice? Come ooon, Vindictus would never take points from his own house… Or…would he? But- wait? Are you just trying to find excuses not to go flying with me or are you serious?

‘Oh, well… then I’ll just drop it.’ Maybe some other time…?

"Yes, studying," said Stella sighing, just hearing the word makes her sleepy. She REALLY needs to relax, a day without studying and homework. Studying is just too exhausting!

When Emma started to blush, Stella knew that she met someone... interesting. "A Gryffindor?" she said raising her eyebrow, "Well, at least he isn't one of those sponge headed Hufflepuffs. Those YELLOW Hufflepuffs are going to kill someone," she paused for a second, she knows that the Hufflepuffs are hiding something, and she continued, "I can feel it..." Stella doesn't know why but, she cannot stand those Hufflepuffs. Everyone thinks they're loyal and innocent but she thinks that they are back-stabbers and dirty little liars. Ever since Ravenclaw lost to those sponge heads she also thinks that they'll murder someone anytime soon. Hopefully themselves. "So if he's a Gryffindor then he's probably okay, I guess..." said Stella returning her comb into her bag.

Did her friend just now say that she looks pretty. "Awwww... Thanks," she loved it when people told her that she's pretty, it made her feel... Prettier. "Ever since I started studying, I haven't had time to concentrate on my appearances," she explained, "so today I'm dedicating an hour or two for my appearances and then..." she sighed, "back to studying," she said finishing her answer, and flicked her hair over her shoulder.

"By the way, where you playing in the match against Gryffindor?" she asked, the blonde remembered seeing someone looking just like Emma in that match.

Ah, she didn't understand what Helena really hoped her to. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be... rude," the girl said, feeling her cheeks turn pink. "I just meant that the first years are not allowed to have their own broomsticks." She knew that, right? "So I'm not sure if you're also allowed to practice on your own." THAT is was she meant the first time.

"The best thing to do is go and ask professor Vindictus," Helena finally finished with a smile. She surely won't go and ask him if she could borrow a broomstick and practice. How would she look like if she asked the man to practice, while she wasn't taking that class anymore? Nope, surely not facing him.

Emma nodded. "Yeah. Braeden," she said and then started laughing when Stella told her at least it wasn't one of those Hufflepuffs. Emma smirked as she realized it must be the general House competition stuff. "Don't worry. The Puffs are going to get a surprise when they see the Snakes are ready for their Quidditch Match," added Emma with a wink. Was Braeden okay? "Yeah. He's more than okay."

The blonde Malfoy gave her friend a grin when she thanked Emma. "Welcome," she added. "That's good, cause studying always takes time away from relaxing. You have to make time." The Malfoy totally agreed with Stella.

QUIDDITCH! Emma's smile grew bigger as Stella asked her if she played the match against Gryffindor. OH YES SHE DID!! XD "Yes, I did. I was a Chaser. It was an awesome game," she cried. "Did you come see the game?"

Stella hates those Hufflepuffs, hopefully, in a thousand years Hogwarts will decide that there will be no such house as Hufflepuff. "Actually I think the next match will be Ravenclaw against Slytherin, and only the winner will play against them, and hopefully we Ravenclaws will have our revenge," said Stella scratching her head, she wasn't sure if those were the rules, but hopefully Ravenclaw will get another chance. "For you maybe he's more than okay, but at the end I'll decide if he's worth it or not," the blonde said beginning to twirl her hair around her finger.

"Trust me, when you'll get to your seventh year making time is an option only for studying, not for relaxing," she said in a sarcastic tone. "But also time goes really quickly while studying in the middle of the night, and then you have an urge to cry because you're aware that in few months you will finish Hogwarts. FOREVER," she said basically explaining how she feels.

"It was after Ravenclaws lost to the sponge heads, so after the game I left and tried not cry while studying. You cannot imagine how humiliated I felt after losing to house with the name 'Le Puff' in it," she said, having a flashback of that day, it was awful, an raven which can fly lost to a badger which can barely see lost a game of FLYING! SNAP OUT OF IT STELLA!!! "Oh... But I think I saw you scoring ten points in the game," she said with a friendly smile.

Oh right. The next match was in fact against Ravenclaw. "Yeah. I believe your right. Got confused there," said Emma, giving her friend a weak smile. Ravenclaws have revenge? Naah.. Over Emma's and the Slytherin's team dead body.. Slytherins would triumph. For sure. Emma shrugged her shoulders. "You know. I don't really care who wins as long as it will be a great match," she added with a smile. The blonde smirked at Stella's next statement. "Well, your not the one dating him." she said, in a teasing way and giving her friend a nudge.

Emma's mouth dropped with worry as she heard the next bit and she hugged Stella. "An urge to cry? Oh Stella. All your friends and I will keep in contact with you when you leave so that we can meet up over the summer, get a butterbeer, and have fun," explained Emma, but in her heart the Malfoy knew that she would miss Hogwarts when she would leave in three years time. She hadn't even thought of that feeling. It was too early. Stella was leaving this year. But Braeden was going to leave next year.. Sad face.

"Well whatever happens in the next game. The winning team has to beat the Le Puffs," added Emma with a huge smirk. Emma grinned and fluffed up her hair. "Ah.. yeah. Thanks. I love playing as a Chaser. Do you play Stella?"

Smiling to Emma, "So I'll see you playing against my house soon. And out first match, against Gryffindor was really boring, I mean they didn't even score once, we just all the time scored and scored," she said flicking her hair over her shoulder, "But at least we won," she added.

"Wait I didn't say I will actually cry," she bluffed quickly, "And if I will cry it is because I'm going to move in with my sister," she pointed out. How could her parents force her to move-in with her sister, they never get along, they always fight until, one of them slaps the other. "I think I might visit Diagon Alley, to meet some friends... like you," she said with a smirk oh her face.

"Le Puffs just have a good seeker, they did like a thousand , penalties at our game and if it wasn't for their seeker they wouldn't win the game," she said twirling the tip of her hair around her finger. "Errr... I don't play Quidditch," she said feeling a bit awkward. "Actually I don't even know how to ride a broom," she added feeling even more awkward.

Emma gave Stella a kind smile. "Yeah, I guess you will," she began before smirking a little as Stella proceeded to say how the match against Gryffindor was boring. She shook her head slightly at Stella's competitiveness and sighed a little. "Yes. At least Ravenclaw did win and same with Slytherin," she added.

Emma's eyebrow raised. Wait.. she did say cry? Didn't she? The blonde listened to what Stella was saying but she had a funny feeling in her stomach, as if someone was lying or something. The Malfoy had become quite good at picking up when people were lying or not telling the truth as it was or is. "Oh.. I'm guessing your sister must be bit of a nightmare. How old is she?" asked Emma, curiously. Moving on, Emma beamed her a smile. "Of course and then we can get a butterbeer." See.. it would be all right! Stella would be fine.

Emma nodded, taking in this little piece of information. The Slytherin hadn't played the first game against the Puffs do to being ill. But knowing this would help her- a lot. The Malfoy's mouth dropped slightly. Stella didn't play Quidditch?!? She seemed so passionate about it. "You don't? Well if you'd like I can help you with that. And perhaps, if you wanted to learn some Quidditch, I could give you some tips," offered the Malfoy with a bright smile.

“She’s an awful nightmare, which will never leave you,” said Stella, twirling her hair around her finger. Her sister is probably one of the worst things that ever happened to her. She so evil and devious but at the same time so successful and perfect. Stupid Orange. When Emma asked her old her sister is, the Ravenclaw began feeling a bit awkward, “Well...” she said, trying to remember how old her sister is, “I think she’s twenty-two or twenty-three, but maybe she's younger.” Every time she starts talking about her sister, she feels disappointed of herself and a bit jealous.

Stella couldn’t think of next year, even though she should, it’s really close, far too close. “Well I suppose that I will meet you unless I’ll find a serious job,” she said. Hopefully she will find a job, no matter what will happen.

Emma seemed to be surprised from the fact that she doesn’t even know how to fly a broom. Stella began to blush from embarrassment, she tried to stop but she couldn’t, so she smiled to show her friend that she’s okay with it. “I would really appreciate it if you could teach me how to fly a broom,” she said. Stella never even tried to fly a broomstick, every time she thinks that if she will sit on a broom, and that she’ll start flying, really scared her. “I would love knowing how to fly a broom,” she added quietly. Hopefully, she persuaded Emma, and will finally learn how to fly a broomstick, unless Emma will fail to teach her.

Emma gave Stella a sympathetic look. Merlin's Beard. Poor girl. Emma nodded and folded her arms. "Well good luck to her. No matter how old she is, hopefully she'll learn to be more civil or 'grow up'. It's unfair to just scream at a person," admitted Emma. Even Stella. Even though, there was a time when Emma felt like she would scream at her, but they quickly patched that up and became friends, which was great. The Malfoy didn't want any enemies. No.. thank you.

Emma nodded. "Understandably. Hey, do you know what you want to do when you graduate? Work at the Ministry? Or own a shop or something?"

Folding her arms slightly, she gave her friend a grin as Stella told her that she would love to learn how to fly. "All right! Sounds great!" exclaimed Emma. She would not let Stella leave her wing without learning how to be a pro at flying AND Quidditch. Pulling out her daily planner from her bag, she opened it up and looked at her schedule. "So, what time works best for you to meet up and start lessons? I'm basically free anytime save for Quidditch matches." explained Emma, with a warm smile. THe Malfoy was thrilled to be helping a friend learn Quidditch. Besides, the blonde had taught her boyfriend how to play in exchange for learning how to play football.

Selina walked into the girl's bathroom panting heavily. She had just run all of the way down from the Common Room without stopping. Part of her needed to get away from her fellow lions. She had just had a rough day and all of them asking her what was wrong was not really helping her situation. Couldn't they understand that space, sometimes, was the perfect medicine?

Her eyes cast down and caught sight of her untied shoe laces. It was a nice view that needed much change. So she leaned down and tied her shoes. Then she pressed her back up against the sink and said softly, "Oh bugger."