" Thanks, I look so good in this picture" Willaim told Witsy laughing. His hair had been a mess as they went through the portrait together. " A pro for sure" Willaim said to Witsy. " How about coming to my , well my parents Italian Villa?" William asked Witsy.

" Very, very hard" Willaim laughed." You do have more siblings than me" Willaim said to Cove. " I would love to come to your house and glad you do not need the books" William told Cove. " Good, we will both be going to places we never been to in the world" William expalined to Cove.

Merlin, she had never thought about why they had used the expression Merlin. Of course she was one of the greater offenders of using the word, but she had never even thought about why it had a word to that connotation. It did not affect her life.

"Hmm no. I would assume it is like when someone says all hail the queen, you repsect her. Same thing with whomever decided to marry with cameras.

Witsy noticed his hair being a mess, and started fixing it for him, " I dunno, I kinda like the messy look," she giggled. "If you think your parents won't mind, I'd be honored to accompany you. Is it a family event?"

" Well, then the messy look will stay for awhile" William told Witsy. " My parents will not mind at all" William said to Witsy. " It is always an event when one of us brings our girlfriends or boyfriends homes" Willaim explained to Witsy laughing.

"Umm.. well, I'm sorry..." Janet said, still wondering about what happened to Evie's dad but had no courage to ask. "Well, I'm also excited to be here ! I'm a muggleborn and my whole family are muggles. Hey Evie, did you sign up for quidditch ?? " She said, trying to sound cheerful. Evie's expressions made her worried.

Tayla grinned. "Yeah, seriously. And I have a younger sister, too. But when she starts Hogwarts, I'd already have left."

Crush or no crush, Tayla enjoyed talking to Josh. "My dad's a Muggle and Mum's a witch. How about yours?" she paused hesitantly. "I hope you don't mind me asking so many questions."

"Aww, poor Rex!" Alice said, her brows furrowing downwards at the news that the visitors had been rude to Rex. "He is married now, isn't he?"

"Oh well on that case I should most certainly make an appearance." She was still looking at William's hair. "Yeah I think it works well maybe with some spray we can keep some of it up." Witsy began to giggle, it really was cute. "How many people come to this event? Do you have it every year?"

And there Selina was again, playing the role that she should be for the second year. Had the girl taken an Anti-aging Potion or something?

"I do like kendo very much," she said just to clarify that bit. "It got me through a lot of terrible times due to the discipline and focus it requires to do properly. It is also something that I did with my brothers, so it really does symbolize family and it is something very important to me." She paused for a moment to think a bit more. "I am not sure WHAT I want to do once I am done with Hogwarts, so I suppose I still have time to think about it. I do fancy the teaching profession though."

Kurumi was a bit surprised at how calmly Cove was able to talk about her family situation. The girl must be very comfortable and confident with herself, and Kurumi admired it. "Any time you would like to go, just let me know," Kurumi smiled.

"Like all lions do, we stick together as a pride," Kurumi winked. At least, that had been her experience at Hogwarts thus far. She had even made her own Hogwarts family and found some of the first people she was able to confide in. "Well, now you know many more lions and there will be even more to come!"

Kurumi played with her long black hair for a moment as she listened to the first year speak and a small, almost unnoticeable, frown appeared on her lips. "Life experiences certainly have a way of teaching us important lessons...even ones we wish that we hadn't have to learn."

"She is apparently on a TV program in Mexico," Kurumi said in a slightly defeated tone. "Adam worked...or works I suppose...there as an intern." Naturally, she hadn't heard any of this from Adam. Nope, she had heard everything from CeCe...and it made Kurumi's heart break even more.

"I was awkward as a first year," Kurumi nodded. Heck, she still was! Zara just needed to follow her around and wait for her to talk with an older student that she didn't know and then Zara would be holding her sides with laughter. "My cookies are actually what got me through it all." Surprise Surprise. "I handed out lion, raven, badger, and snake shaped ones. Much simpler than the ones you had at the opening feast."

She smiled as she remembered the prefect at that time, Cam, who had taken her wand and animated the lion cookies to dance and paw at the air. Once, Kurumi swore that she had heard the cookies roar.

"I am sure your mother will love this as a gift," Kurumi nodded looking over the sheet music. There were a few segments that looked especially tricky, but nothing that couldn't be mastered with enough practice. There were also some parts that Kurumi thought ought to be changed around a bit, but that was based on Kurumi's strengths, and she needed to hear Zara play before making any suggestions. "Any time you want to we can go," she chirped. "I can head down to the kitchens first and ask Twinkle to prepare some snacks and drinks for us if you want."

Kurumi tugged on her hair a bit as their conversation kind of came to a standstill. Kurumi wasn't good at talking about families and the likes, so she wasn't entirely sure about where to move conversation to next.

Instead, she sat there...awkwardly....playing with her hair.

Kurumi watched Josh as he seemed to be squirming a bit in his spot on the sofa, which she found a bit peculiar. She was sure that it was a trick of the light, but she thought that she saw beads of sweat forming on his brow. Clearly, Josh was sitting too close to the fire place.

"Oh, well, spending time with friends is always a very good thing," she nodded as a smile reappeared on her face.

Finally unwedging himself out from under the ruddy sofa, Walnut waddled around to the front to see just what had caused the sudden depression to appear right around where his back legs had been resting when his eyes narrowed and his tail began swishing back and forth.

Pineapple Boy...of course...it just HAD to be Pineapple Boy...

Ears down, the cat looked around and a kitty grin appeared under his wiskers and be waddle his handsome self over to a pair of shoes on the floor by he sofa and sniffed them. Yep...there were them...hehe... Squatting, the cat began marking his territory.

It was then that Kurumi noticed another first year talking about her family and a small smile crept across herself. "I'm half as well," she said leaning around Josh as she failed to notice Walnut ruining a pair of Josh's shoes. "My father is a pureblood, but my mother is a non-magical."

Christopher shrugged. He guessed it made sense, but what was so great about Merlin? He just didn't understand it.

"What did Merlin do anyway? I mean, I'm sure he's great and all, even Muggles know about him. But I'm still a bit confused." Eh, she'd probably judge him for that, but hey. He needed answers. "All I know about him is a pointy hat, a long white beard, starry robes, and he wears socks with sandals. Atleast, that's the Muggle portrayal of him, anyway." Again, he was probably so wrong about it.

Tayla smiled at the girl who spoke to her. She recognized her from Transfiguration class. "You're Kurumi, right?" Tayla asked, a little jealous she could lean around Josh like that. "Amazing list you made there. I was so glad when the professor was happy with 'Team Shaw'." Tayla chuckled. "Josh, too. That was a fun class. Crazy, but fun."

Sarah smiled shyly. She hesitated talking with new people. But the prefect's smile was inviting. "It's my pleasure." she said smiling and took the candy from her. She thought for a moment and took a bite, and smiled at the prefect. "You are so cute" she said in awe, "Yah, its great in here, though I haven't talked with anyone, I have problem speaking with new people." she said awkwardly.

" Yes, Rex did not have any fun talking to them" William told Alice. " No, Rene never came back to HogWarts, so Rex never got married" William said to Alice. " I know he would have invited you to his wedding" William explained to Alice. " Three fiancee's for Rex, three that left him" William sighed." So do you have a boyfreind?" William asked Alice.

" I certainly apprciate you making an apperance" Willaim told Witsy. " God, yo uare so nice to care of my messy hair" William said to Witsy. " Ohg the event just means my parents and family love to meet who ever their children or brothers or sisters are going out with and that is actually an event to them" William laughed.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Alice said, frowning. Who knew that Rex had such terrible luck? So much for the third time being the charm...

"No, I don't have a boyfriend," Alice said with her cheeks flushing slightly. "How about you? Do you have a girlfriend?"

Lucas laughed a bit nervously as an awkward silence fell. "So..." he said. "What kind of... Music do you like?"

Who was Merlin? Selina nearly choked at his question. Everyone knew who Merlin was, he was Merlin for Merlin's sake. Once she regained her breath she said, "Besides Dumbledore and Harry Potter he was one of the most famous wizards who ever lived. He lived in the Medieval time period. He was part of King Arthur's court and believed that Muggles and Wizards could live together. That there did not need to be a separation of the two sects. More importantly he was the first Wizard to perform modern magic. He was an inspiration. Before he died he even created the Order of Merlin which is like the Muggle Nobel Prize. Thats who he is."

Selina put her hand over her friend's and said, "Don't worry about the future now. You have all of the time in the world to figure out what your destiny is. Never let other people define that destiny though. That includes any boy, any parent, any friend. You do what is rout for you. If teaching is that thing than the moment you graduate you go to Tate and ask for a job. If that thing is Kendo than you apparate right home after graduation and open up shop. If that thing is baking than you invest all of the money you have and buy a bakery. Kurumi... you do you best."

He. Heh. Heheheh… HEHEHEHEHHH!!

Braeden snickered to himself as he admired the photograph in his hand. It consisted of none other than himself and Gryffindor's most fiery redhead.

Which he had now convinced half his classmates of having a crush on him. And he had this photograph to prove it.
BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Not only did the others honestly believe that Ruby - the once-thought to be completely heartless evil Lioness - actually likes someone (and the House's biggest dork too, go figure), but that she has feelings too! Emotions! Who would've thought?!

Hehehehe.

Subconsciously, the Gryffindork boy passed a hand over his bandaged nose. That dratted Ruby! She nearly broke every bone in his nose! And now he had to walk around with this stupid thing on his face… He could only wish he knew what in the world had caused her dramatic change over at Diagon Alley so he could feed it to her again. Merlin knows that sweet version of Ruby had been quite pleasant. Though the more masochistic side of him kind of enjoyed Ruby's insults and abuse too.

"Come one, come all! See the proof! Ruby Abigail Blair - that's right, OUR evil Lioness actually has feelings! And for none other than yours truly here! Look at the proof!" HEHE. He duplicated the photograph in his hand and placed its copies all over the bulletin board of the common room. Now no one could miss it.

Having just finished a meal in the very overcrowded Great Hall, Ruby made her way into the Gryffindor Common Room so she could snooze a bit before...being bored again. Since she never went to class, she had no homework. So she had find other ways of entertaining herself. Plus, her hand still hurt from punching that Goofball--who knew his nose was made of lead? She'd have to punch him somewhere else next time.

About to make her way up the Girls Dormitories, Ruby passed the bulletin board. But she never even glanced at it because it had nothing of interest to her...until now that is. She stopped dead and had to backtrack because she was past the board now. The redhead walked back to it and stared in horror.

There was a picture. Of her. And that idiotic boy. TOGETHER. And it looked like Ruby was...like drooling over that...that THING! As if she actually liked him! Can you imagine such a thing? No, no you can't because it's not possible. AND IT NEVER BLOODY HAPPENED. Enraged, Ruby turned around so fast she almost lost her balance. Her sharp eyes roved the room for HIM.
And then she found him.
But her jaw dropped again. Braeden Stonem had duplicated copies of that FAKE photo and...he was yelling about her having feelings. To the whole room. Blood rushed to Ruby's face--she couldn't believe this. Did he actually want to die at 16? Really? Well, it was his choice.

Ruby marched over to him, eyes blazing, face redder than her hair and fuming at what he had done.

"BRAEDON STONEM! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" She screamed, her voice becoming hoarse. She tried to snatch the picture in his hand--it looked so real, but it wasn't true! Even an artist couldn't draw as good as this! Unless...he didn't draw it. Bloody hell.

Braeden, who had taken the liberty of standing on the nearest table as he made his announcement, fell off and landed ungracefully on the cold stone floor as Ruby's screeching filled the room, though he was quick to scramble back up to his feet before the girl could have a chance to kick him in the gut after her whole little tantrum.

Aw man.
Normally, the cowardly lion would've made a run for it. But not this time! Ruby had nearly broken his nose and he wanted revenge! And so, putting on one of those lopsided grins of his, the boy approached the shorter redhead and wrapped an arm around her shoulder (tightly enough so that she couldn't move too much and therefore try to pulverize his bones again). "Oh, afternoon, love. Good to see you again," he said casually. He noted the way her face had gone bright red from anger and smirked like a troll. "Awwwwwwwww, are you blushing, Ruby?! C'mon, you know you don't have to be shy with me!"

HAR HAR HAR HAR. Oh, just look at her looking like she might just randomly burst into flames any second from her anger. How cute. Troll!Brae was happy.
Very happy.

Ruby was even more enraged when he GRINNED at the sight of her. And he had the nerve--TO PUT HIS ARM AROUND HER. THE NERVE!! Ruby's eyes bulged and she tried to squirm away from him but his grip was too tight.
"Let--me--go!!" She yelled, trying her hardest to get his filthy hands off her. He probably didn't even use soap.
Wait--did he just say--WHAT?! LOVE?! Oh Merlin. Oh bloody Merlin. Okay. So Brae had got some picture of them being cozy and was now announcing to the world that Ruby had some kind of crush on him. She felt sick. And she was going to butcher his brains out when she got out of his grip.

While still trying to squirm, Ruby hissed into his ear. "Where--how--where did this picture come from?!" She asked angrily. She was going to burn all of them before midnight.

" Well, an old flame of Rex's is back in his life" William told Alice. " Well, you probably are not looking for a boyfriend" William told alice. " I know a lot of boys would like a sweet and charming girl like you" William said to Alice. "As a matter of fact, my girlfriend is in Gryffindor and she is a bit older than me" William explained to Alice. " Her name is Witsy" Willaim proudly smiled.

Aw mannnnn. Ruby was FURIOUS. And Braeden was loving every second of it. Who knew?! Insanely-angry-but-unable-to-fight-back Ruby might be just as charming as nice, sweet Ruby! Heh. Go figure. Yep, Brae liked his girls in extremes - extremely nice, or extremely mean. Hehe.

"Never, love," the boy ignored Ruby's request for release sweetly. Let's let her have a taste of her own medicine…

As the fiery redhead then went on to ask where the picture had come from, Braeden smirked. There was a hint of seriousness in his eyes, though, as he thought about this. So Ruby really didn't remember, huh? She wasn't just pretending to have randomly developed a crush on him that day? Hmmm. Well, that was… well, it was kind of disappointing, actually. A very small, tiny, microscopic part of Brae had hoped she'd meant that sweet act. But the larger part of him was having the time of his life giving his bully a hard time. Oh how nice it was when the tables turned.

"What, this picture?" he said casually, bringing up the picture he was holding in his free hand so they could both admire it. "Why, that's the picture we asked that one tourist to take back at Diagon Alley! Shortly before you spilled your guts out and confessed your undying love for me!" He made sure to say the last bit unnecessarily loud so everyone heard.
MWAHAHAHA.

"Thanks Selina," Kurumi blushed as she took in everything the younger red head was saying. Their conversations always seemed to jump all over the place but that was just like them she supposed. "What about you? Pretty much have your heart set on becoming a professional Quidditch player?"

"I am," she nodded a little shyly at the first year she recognized from a few classes, most specifically Transfiguration. "T-T-Th-Th-Thank you," she said as her cheeks flushed a bit more. "Just trying to help out my classmates. Selina helped more than I really did. She can speak Latin."


"I like many sorts of music," she smiled. However, she was very unaware about wizarding groups until recently when she learned about her father being a member of the Winged Horsemen...but that wasn't something she wanted to go talking about with people. Too embarrassing and she was sure she had read about them being involved in a tragic accident. "I play the piano and was classically trained by my mother."

Appalled that he kept using the L-word and was still refusing to let her go, Ruby growled at him. Like a dog, yes. She was THAT angry. Oh Merlin. She tried to wack him with the hand that wasn't squished by his side but it didn't reach all the way since his arm was gripping it, too. Grumbling under her breath, she stood still for a moment.

Diagon Alley?! Buuut...it couldn't be. Ruby peered at the picture and sure enough, she recognized the robes she had been wearing that day, and even thought she could see a hint of ink splattered on them. Her eyes were wide and there was no denying that she was indeed in that photo, cuddling up next to the Goofball, totally enjoying the moment. She was so horrified that she just blinked at the picture for a whole 30 seconds.
Surely Brae must have fed her some love potion--oh that SICK MONKEY! When she got her hands on him, oh it was over.

Ruby turned to him again, her jaw set. But she realized that she wasn't getting out of his grip anytime soon because he was too strong. She hated admitting it but it was true. But that was okay--Ruby knew what game he was playing and she was just as good it as he was.

Taking a moment to gather her courage, Ruby grinned at him, all malice gone. "Ohhh, silly me!" She said, noting the picture. "How could I possibly forget that lovely day, my prince!" She said airily, but as she said the word prince, she stepped hard on Brae's foot. HA.

She grinned evilly again and then squished in some more. "Now, let me see that picture up close," She said, trying to reach for it but Brae's arm was in the way.

"Wow! That's really cool!" Tayla replied, smiling wider. "Hey, I never thanked you personally for those cookies you made start of term. They're really good! Do you happen to have a bakeshop back home?"