Simon looked at Ari and smiled. "I'm glad your okay and I'm sorry I haven't been around to show you more of Hogwarts." Simon was glad she was getting used to the place. "I just got distracted with a lot of things going on." Simon smiled. "I'm also glad that you are making new friends, though I hope we'll always be friends."

"I was thinking about you earlier." Simon replied truthfully. "I had ment to come and see you earlier but things got out of hand and so I just didn't have the time and I'm sorry about that." Simon didn't know what to say when she asked the next question so he just answered truthfully. "Well things could be better, but couldn't they always." Simon then smiled as she offered him a cookie. "I would love a cookie, I keep thinking of going to the kitchen to see the house elves, but as I said I have a lot on my mind."

"Thanks..Umm.. Kinda" said Nessie blushing a little, but it was only because she had no appetite, which was probably because she missed her best friend (Galia). A tear fell down her cheek, but she wiped it away quickly before Matty could see. Nessie smiled trying to reasure Matty, though she wasn't sure if it worked.

"Oh really? What have you had today?" *Pulling something out of his pocket he handed it to her. It was a pack of cheese and onion crisps and a handkerchief.*
"Little more food wont hurt you."
*By the look of it she was a tiny little thing and needed more food in her.*

Okay. They were completely behind that subject now. It was time to focus on the happier ones, no?

WRONG.

Why was Conan telling her about Ellie and not the dance itself?! He only asked about the dancing, he KNEW she smelled nice, and was warm at touch, yet he didn't think she smelled like bread. Was that even a good thing? He didn't know.

AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO LISTEN ABOUT IT.

It's not that he was jealous, no, of course not, why would he, right? She was free to dance with whoever she wanted to, and this was Conan, he was okay.

No?

No. Treyen wasn't okay. Because he wanted to be the one dancing with Ellie, and holding her hand, and...actually, he still could do that, why was he making such a big deal out of it?

"I didn't know you danced," yes, that was all he said, no comments on Ellie, because that wasn't what HIS question had been about. And then he chuckled, "Right, maybe, maybe not, after all, she did answer me with a 'Maybe', that could go either way," why was Conan trying to get out of him an answer he was most unwillingly to give.

Conan shook his head, "I don't." Ellie had changed that. "But I didn't stand on her feet. Which is a bonus. So it was good. I guess." Nothing to complain about. But obviously talking about Ellie was bad. He wouldn't bring her up again. Because he didn't want to upset Treyen again.

"I want a ham and cheese sandwich. But only if they have fake cheese." Well it wasn't fake cheese. He just couldn't eat real cheese. But he didn't like to tell everyone. "Maybe just ham actually." Saved him on the fake cheese.

"Thanks!! Im Fine though" said Nessie giving back the crisps. She had no appetite whatsover. The most she would do was probably have a little water, but even that didn't seem appetising to her. "I really am" she said, not wanting him to doubt her.

*Matty raised an eyebrow but shrugged. Maybe he should have taken her to the hospital wing. Looking around to make sure no professors were around he transfigured the bag of crisps to a bottle of water.*
"At least drink some water, you had me worried. Cant have our first year puffs dropping like flies."

"Fine!" said Nessie not wanting to worry him anymore. She took a few small sips, then decided she would drink more later. "Thanks! Well I gotta go! It was nice meeting you Matty!" she said smiling as she started to head to the great hall.

*Matty frowned but saw the girl heading to the great hall. Maybe she would get some food. With a shrug he walked back to his common room.*

Oh? Well, that was rather amusing. Treyen actually didn't know how to lead when he met Ellie, and she'd been the one to teach him how to do so. He kind of figured something similar had happened with Conan, but decided not to ask any question that could related to her directly.

He chuckled, "That's more than a bonus," it was pretty good, actually. Especially if he didn't know how to dance.

And then he randomly mentioned the sandwich topic again.

RIGHT! The sandwich!

"I'm sure they'll have fake cheese," he smiled, the Kitchens had everything, and if the house-elves couldn't find it for you, well...he didn't know, he's never had to deal with that sort of thing.

Still, he started to walk towards the Kitchens, "A ham sandwich it is, then." Anything for Conan, right? Unless Ellie was mentioned, "Anything else?"

Was he really apologizing for not showing her around? How considerate and...sweet. 'Don't worry, I settled in just fine and did a bit of exploration on my own. And we'll definitely be friends forever.' the little one announced dramatically. 'But I'm sure you know many secrets and hidden places here, so I'd like a few tips to help me explore.' she smiled and waited for Simon's response.

Ari realized Simon had some issues, but didn't pressure him to talk about that. 'I hope things will be better for you soon. I'm here whenever or ifever you feel like talking. I'm a better listener than most first years.' she told the boy, handing him the plate of cookies. 'Take as many as you want.'

"I am not exactly big," Conan chuckled, "Therefore I only have little feet." He jiggled his sneaker from side to side, showing off his little feet. "I don't think I'd do much damage anyway." Maybe a hurt toe, but nothing broken.

"I'd rather not risk it. You don't know if it has lactose in it," he whispered his sensitive part. It was just Treyen here, but there might be spies.

"Just a ham sandwich is enough. Thank you Treyen," he smiled. He liked having Treyen with him, in the sammich making.

Simon looked at Ari and smiled. "I'm glad you have settled in." Simon was glad and he was happy when he said that they were going to be friends for life, because he thought the same way. "I have a few secret places round here, and of course I'll show you them later." Simon smiled.

"I will do, I've just had a big argument with my best friend and I'm sure that we will make it up, but I'm just annoyed he didn't give me a chance to explain he just pick this girl over me." Simon sighed. "I think my best friend is in love with her though I think she's doesn't look good." Simon laughed he thought the girl was ugly, taking a couple of cookie he smiled. "So where do you want to go?"

Simon said he would show her his secret places in the castle? How exciting! 'Sure, I can't wait, thank you!' the little one replied, still beaming. She listened to the boy's story and then remembered something.

'Wait...Your best friend as in Treyen, the current Hufflepuff Prefect?' At least, that's who she remembered Simon told her was his best friend, long ago, on Diagon Alley. 'Who is this girl?' Ari couldn't help asking, because of her curious nature. 'I need to take this food upstairs, but then we could go and see one of your favourite places.' the girl suggested.

Simon looked at Ari, had he told her that Treyen was his best friend he couldn't remember. "Yeah the one and same, I keep going over it in my head but nothing makes sence." Simon sighed, he had no idea how Treyen had become a prefect but he didn't like this new Treyen one bit.

"It was some Slytherin Girl and he was drooling all over her." Simon sighed, "I have no idea what he see's in her." Simon looked at Ari and smiled. "So which floor are we going too?"

Garrett lead the way from the Slytherin Common room towards the kitchens. "You don't act like any girl I've ever met before." He said as they continued towalk down the corridor to the kitchens.

She walked behind him trying to remember the way to the kitchen. She pulled out her map of Hogwarts and traced the route. She had been making her map of Hogwarts since she got there. Maps were important and she liked to make them. You could call it her job if you wanted to. She looked at him when he told her that. "How is a girl supposed to act?" she asked him as a tiny burp escaped her lips. She patted her belly after that. She had been waiting for that one.

Ari mentally congratulated herself for remembering that piece of information. She had always taken pride in her good memory. 'So you're saying your best friend changed?' the Gryffindor asked Simon, wondering if she understood correctly.

'A Hufflepuff and a Slytherin?' Ariadne pondered. It was quite a weird idea. She liked all Houses and had friends from each, but in her view badgers and snakes didn't mix well. 'Is there anything interesting on the ground floor? I don't think I've seen anything there except the Great Hall.' the firstie replied.

" Well, a bit more subtle than you are?" he said bluntly. " Not that it's a problem it's actually a bit refreshing to meet someone that speaks so openly."

Her brown eyes swung up to look at Garrett. "Well life is too short to be subtle as you put it," she told him matter of factly. She didn't believe in it. She had better things to do with her time.

LA LA LA LA

Nika skipped around the castle in search of a slytherin. Yes a slytherin. She's gotta hug them all! So she skipped along the corridor in search of one. Maybe even two or three if she got lucky. Twenty down. Only a hundred more to go.... Or maybe thousand.

Skip. Skip. Skip. Hum. Hum. Hum.
Skip. Hum. Skip. Hum. Skip. Hum.

Seeing a Slytherin conversing with another Slytherin, Ariana ran up, hugged them both, and walked off, looking at them and saying "Ten!" She giggled, walking backwards...

...and quickly decided that walking backwards without looking where one is going is really not a good idea as she walked straight into a skipping, humming Nika. "Ow!" was her natural response, before she realized what had happened and said, "Oh no Nika I'm sorry are you okay? Merlin, I'm such an idiot... Remembering what many of her friends would do, Ariana hastily added "Don't respond to that."

Skip. Hum. Skip. Hum. Skip. Hum. Skip. OOF. O.o

Ouchie. Nika blinked and looked in front of her to see ARIANA. Ah, how she missed that ravenclaw. Wait if smart Ariana is an idiot then what does that make Nika? "Oh it's alright. It's probably Karma for all the times I've bumped into people." Because Nika is indeed one of the clumsiest Gryffindors of all time.

But Nika had something on her mind before Ariana bumped into her. What was it... Hmm... OH YES! Slytherins! "Hey you're doing the hug a slytherin thing too right?" She asked her fellow second year. "How many have you gotten so far?" She asked remembering the advice that Thea gave her. Right. Check on the competition. That's important.

That made Ariana laugh. "I'm sure I'll get paid back for that later..." Sigh. Oh, such circles conversations about karma could go into...

"Yeah, I'm doing that..." Smiling wickedly, Ariana decided she would play a teeny tiny trick on Nika. Hoping Nika'd forget about the 'Ten!' she'd called out earlier, or hadn't heard her, Ariana said, "Hmm, I'd have to say about...", she pretended to count on her fingers, "Two hundred forty-six? Or is it forty-seven..." Hehe.

Nika shook her head and waved her hand. "Nah, I don't think Karma is that mean. It wouldn't get you back after one time. I think it starts going after you after the second time." Yeah, well Nika had her own thoughts about Karma.

Nika felt very confident. She was planning to win the competition. She was so proud of her number that she didn't even bother to ask anyone about their number of hugs. But Thea had convinced her to. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea. This way she'll see where she stands as far as the rest of the huggers go. Nika didn't really care about how many Ariana had anyways. She just couldn't wait until the ravenclaw asked about how many she had gotten.

Twenty may not be too many considering how many slytherins there are out there in the world Hogwarts, but considering how many rants and angry speeches she had gone through it was definitely something to brag about. Besides it's not like Ariana could have gotten too many more than her anyways.

BLINK.

Jawdrop.

WAHHHH???

"T-t-two hundred?" BUT HOW? "B-b-but how?" T-t-two hundred? WHAT? This girl must be a hugging machine. Okay now maybe if Nika could cut this conversation short she could go and hug two hundred and thirty more slytherin and then maybe she would be in the lead.