Or maybe Jim just knew how to get Mia kisses.

He smiled at her.

"Yeah? Which part am I supposed to let go of?" Jim somehow managed to both hold grudges AND pretend like there was nothing in the world that could bring him down. It made things difficult.

"Romantic?" He laughed a bit at that. Though, actually, he'd done a few romantic things in his time he just preferred to spring it on a girl so that it was a surprise and not an expectation.

"Where else do you wanna go, Mi?"

Yeah easier said than done. Mia heaved a small sigh. "I didn't say it was going to be easy. But Finn...you two...were such good friends. And I know you guys have that thing." Bro's before...yeah that. "But both of them know they made a mistake. We're all still kids when you look at it." And kids makes a LOT of mistakes. All the time.

She ignored his laughing about the romance stuff. Nik wasn't exactly romantic either, well actually he was. He just managed to do it inadvertently, but he always thought that she wanted romance.

A smile touched her lips. "Anywhere. Everywhere. I want to see as much of the world as I can. And I want to see it all with Nikolai." Okay she was being a little soppy now. "Destiny and I are going on safari." Somewhere.

"Its less about that than you think." Jim answered, fixing Mia with a rare serious look. "All the excuses Marie gave me, she tried to make it all about me, like she was giving me a break or something when really it was about her and then she went and made things worse for herself and I don't even know if she realises... how self destructive it was to be with him at all." They hadn't exactly talked about anything. "And everything she said to me, everything that she pretended to be... it was like she proved herself the opposite by going with him."

And as for Finn.

Whew.... it made him mad just thinking about it.

"Finlay." He added quietly, in a flat tone. "Do you know how long it took him to say anything about it? He pretends to be so loyal and its all a lie. I've had his back my entire life and no matter what people said, and believe me people say things about him all the damn time, I always said nah he's my best friend. And then no matter what, and its every damned time, if I've got something, or someone, or had someone, or someone is my friend, he comes along and its like he can't handle not being part of that, or trying to win whoever it is over, like he resents me being friends with anyone else, or the possibility of anyone liking me better."

He went silent after that rare explanation.

"Its not them together. Its them individually. And its an imbalance. People thinking they give so much more than they really do... And Finn's all talk. Thats all he is. And he keeps doing it all. And I'm just not going to explain it away any more, or make excuses for him, and I'm done trying to make him see how much he hurts people."

Done.

Talking about Mia and Nik was better. And Jim wasn't one to get all soppy over cutesy couples. But he focused on that instead.

"I want to travel too. This summer was.... that part of the summer was good." He let out a breath and smiled at her. "I think... I wanna find a job where I can just.... take a bag and go. I liked that. I dunno what though. Tate was saying stuff about the ITF to me. Maybe I could do that. See the world, make some money, keep up with my dueling stuff."

Heh. A safari?

"Isn't that Destiny chick kinda unstable?" Wouldn't a safari with her be a suicide mission?

Hmmf. Destiny. That made him think of the other one too. Evelyn. And Marie of course. They'd hated him for no reason.

Ivan was feeling in a much better mood than he had since he got there and he couldn't exactly explain why either. Maybe giving TJ advise had helped him a bit. Meh whatever it was he was now starving and feeling a bit claustrophobic in the dorm so he decided to go down to the Great Hall for some breakfast.

Finding James and Mia at his house table he grinned and slid into the bench across from them with a grin, "Hey guys. Great day out isn't it?" He said pulling a plate toward him and loading it with eggs, bacon, toast and whatever else he could get his hands on. Completely missing that they were having a deep conversation.

Well when James opened up, he really went all out. Mia had never heard him talk so much before and about serious stuff. Usually the two of them liked to keep things uncomplicated and not serious.

And while she always kept her opinions to herself, Mia knew that this time she needed to speak up. "Marie is my friend but what you said is true. She did it all the wrong way. She is trying to find happiness and sometimes she goes about it blindly." Her friend was probably gonna kill her if she found out that Mia was talking like this. "Like I said you two wanted different things from the relationship that's why it fell apart James. I mean, that night at the tea party, I know you were injured from Quidditch and all but you didn't seem all that keen with Marie." Of course she could be wrong but that's how it had looked to her.

And then there was Finn. "Look I know that you have known Finn a lot longer than I have. But he swore to me that he didn't mean to hurt anyone. That he was afraid that he was turining out like his father. Whether that is just an excuse I don't know." She shrugged her shoulders. "You know I like to see the best in people and want to believe they're telling the truth. Mia chewed on her lip and thought for a moment. Did Finn really try and steal Jim's friends and whatnot? She had met James first and then Finn shortly after. "I like you both." she said in a quiet voice. Mia just couldn't take sides and she knew that James wasn't expecting her to.

"I guess you know what you're doing James where Finn is concerned. I love you all and I hate to see you all not talking to each other but this is something for you, Finn and Marie to sort out." And for her to keep her nose out of it.

Mia thought the sound of having a job on the go sounded pretty cool but she was happy to go into what she already had planned. "I have no idea what the ITF is. That's not like some sort of army is it?" She couldn't imagine James being in the army. "Which country do you want to see the most?"

James' comment about Destiny made Mia laugh so hard. "She's a little out there yes. But that's what I like about her. She's stress free." And every now and then Mia needed that. Destiny never asked her for advice. "We're going to sail on a raft from Australia to the Serengeti." Well they were going to try, Mia knew that it was impossible for them to pull that feat off.

...

Jim was quiet when he answered. "I can't play Quidditch this year, my injuries... " He shrugged. "My head. The concussion was bad. The healers say that if I played, I'd have to impose a height limitation on my broom." Because the higher he flew, the more likely he'd pass out with very little warning. And being a seeker... well, you went where the Snitch went. "Another ten months, at least, they said."

But Jim was stubborn. If he got asked to play reserve, he'd probably consider it. No matter that it could be the end of him. So yeah. His Quidditch injuries had been pretty serious, even though as with everything else, Jim had underplayed them.

"Marie pushed a lot." He added finally, in closing for that particular part of the conversation. It was the best he'd do for an explanation. He still missed her, even though he wasn't cut up about it anymore.

"He says that, but he keeps doing it anyway. He doesn't stop to think. Maybe now he will." So. He shrugged it all away philosophically.

"MMmm sort of. International Taskforce? You know, they do all sorts of things to make sure the International Wizarding Community complies with the Statute of Secrecy. Tate used to do stuff with Dark Wizards, like, transporting them between countries I think, and then theres things like the Yeti watchers or, you know the Loch Ness Monster? So if you like creatures you can specialise in that aspect. I'd probably go with dangerous plant control myself." They were specially trained, like soldiers, but then they specialised in a bunch of different areas. "They do what the International Confederation of Wizards needs them to do." He added. "And they do it all over the world."

He grinned when Mia laughed, not because he found Destiny amusing, more because Mia's amusement was infectious. "Stress free is good." Oh they were huh?

"Well. Don't die." He suggested helpfully.


Jim spotted Ivan pretty quick and immediately noticed the guy was in a better mood. It was practically leaking out of his pores.

Had to be a girl.

Ivan always-without-fail got that way when things were looking up concerning a girl.

"Hey. Its pretty clear out. Cold but nice." He agreed, grinning back at Ivan. So he wanted to talk about the weather huh? Well James would oblige.

Ivan bit into a piece of toast and looked back and forth between James and Mia with a curious expression. "Was I interrupting something?" Yeah that was like him. Always show up at the wrong time.

Giving James a cheeky smirk he nodded, "Indeed." He really was starving as he noticed he'd already eaten three pieces of toast. Hmm. "So I've decided that life really isn't that bad and I should stop trying to hide from everyone." Yup an epiphany of sorts. Of course if he hadn't been trying to hide he wouldn't have found TJ and they wouldn't have talked...and he probably wouldn't be in a good mood today. Everything happening for a reason. HA.

"Nah. We were just chatting." He paused and gave Ivan a rueful shrug. "About that stuff I told you about." Yeah so Jim was actually glad for the interruption.

Uhhuh.

"Who's the girl?"

Chatting.... Chatting was good. Ohhhh what they were chatting about. Not so good. "Ahh I see." Then he was right on time. Good.

He was taking a sip of juice when he heard James' question and had to stop himself from choking on it. "Girl? What girl?" Seriously not EVERYTHING had to be about a girl. Meh whatever he knew well enough he wouldn't drop it. "That Slytherin I went to the tea party thing with last term. TJ. We just had a nice conversation about some stuff. Made me realize some things. That's all."

SEE he knew it was a girl. Best friend senses. Jim shot an amused grin in Mia's direction and then fixed a casual sort of look on Ivan.

"She's on yearbook." He commented. Stuff and things? He could be vague TOO.

Luna was hungry so sat down next to another first year ravenclaw she saw in the common room ''Hello'' said Luna ''Mind if I sit my names Luna Kieren's'' said Luna looking at the food ''How much do you like hogwarts'' said Luna trying to make some conversation very poor atempt talking about the school then again the girl might like to talk about hogwarts like she did now looking very tempted to just eat like a hog but Luna had manners ''Classes are nice aren't they'' said Luna then starting to eat a little bit

"I'm fine, who were you just talking to?" Rachel asked, the girl she was talking to seemed older than she was and from a different house.

"Oh hi Luna, how are you?" Rachel asked, she noticed that she was talking to her other friend Presley, "How are your classes?"

''Hi Rachel i'm fine'' said Luna feeling less hungry now ''Classes are great brilliant very interesting some of them'' said Luna thinking about all the classes now

"Yeah, I love flying class! Its sooooo cool!" Rachel said, she wasnt too sure if Luna had been to it, she proably had, " Whats your favourite class?"

''I agree brilliant quiddatch isn't it my dad took me to games before really cooool'' said Luna now thinking of the lesson Dont really have one there all good''said Luna ''How about you'' said Luna

"Well I havnt ever seen Quidditch, but from what Ive heard, its great, but flying lessons are great!" said Rachel.

''Yes better to be on the broom rather then to watch it'' said Luna ''Altough I do like watching it'' said Luna now she really wanted to do the flying lesson again

"Yeah, flying is good, I just wish that we could do the lesson again! It was so good, I wish that I could see a game!" Rachel said, she really did want to watch a game of Quidditch.

''You will we play quididitch here dont we the only thing is try outs haven't started yet I dunno if they have or not anyway I didn't sign up because I doubt they would pick first years'' said Luna looking dissapointed ''Besides i'd like to watch it first to see if its going to be really difficult or easy or just okay'' said Luna ''Maybe next year'' said Luna with a smile

"Ahh...I knew there must have been a reason why you were opening up to me so much. It was that bump on the head you got." she teased, giving him a nudge with her shoulder. "Ten months is not a long time. You'll be back in the air before you know it." Although why he would want to, Mia had no idea. Getting a concussion should have been a wake up call, that Quidditch is dangerous to your health.

Mia could tell that James didn't want to talk about Marie and Finn anymore so she didn't push it anymore. Instead she listened to him explain what the ITF did and she had to admit that it sounded like an impressive job but still one she couldn't see James doing. "Sounds fascinating but I always pictured you as a kind of entrepreneur." With that smile and personality, he would go far.

Don't die? What was he, a Tate mini me or something? "I don't plan on it and I don't expect to get more than two miles off the coastline but it will be fun." Destiny could always make her laugh a lot.

She too noticed Ivan and she gave the Ravenclaw a smile. "Hey Ivan." Mia went back to her cereal as the two guys bantered between each other and grinned at the mention of a girl. She got Jim's look before turning back to Ivan. "What kind of stuff?" Maybe James didn't want to know, but she DID.

Ivan picked up a fork and started in on the eggs and bacon this time. "I didn't know that. That's cool." Well he knew he had to get to know her better anyway but still didn't stop him from grinning.

And of COURSE Mia would push. "Stuff that other people talk about," he said cheekily as he drank some juice. "Just relationship stuff. Then we kissed." A few times. He felt bad about that since even though she was breaking up with Matt they hadn't broken up yet, but at least now he knew that he owed Sal a major apology. "Kind of made me realize how much of a jerk I had been and I'm sorry...to you both," he said with a small smile.

"Ooooh relationship stuff annnnd kissing." She sent a smirk in Ivan's direction. "So I take it you're over me then." Her tone was nonchalant as she dived into her cereal again but there was a mischievious twinkle in her eye.

Mia dropped her spoon in a display of mock surprise and she turned towards James. "I don't know. What do you reckon James? Does he deserve to be forgiven? He has been a bit of a jerk." She threw James a small wink while trying to hold back a laugh.

"Except that its already been more than six months since I played." Jim commented and shrugged. Eh. He just had to keep it together, keep training in a physical sense, even if he couldn't fly.

"Oh yeah? What kind of an entrepreneur?" It was interesting that she said that. "You don't see me as a grifter type, with this grin though, surely?" He grinned in illustration, his trust-me smile. He just had to check, you know, to be sure she thought he'd be on the level.

Well, he was sure Mia could take care of herself, but so much could still go wrong. Jim didn't comment on that though.

"Its all good." He grinned at Ivan. All forgiven. Of course there were other people he kind of needed to apologise to, like Sal, but the guy was easygoing and he'd be easy about it.

"Are you kidding? NO MAN could get over you so easily." Jim simpered at her, and laughed a bit. "You break hearts better than any guy I know, and you only need to smile." He batted his eyelashes at her and then poured himself a glass of orange juice.

"Just a bit of one. But I like him anyway." Because at least Ivan knew how to acknowledge when he'd been a butt.

Ivan rolled his eyes at the smirk that was sent in his direction. Was he over her? Hmmm. No not fully but he was trying. "I think I'm not going to answer that," he said looking at her. Really these two.... Shaking his head he picked up his glass.

"Awww thanks James," he said with a grin and stuck his tongue out at Mia. "See at least someone doesn't like to constantly pick on me. Yeah...but that was one thing he liked about her anyway. "ANYWAY. I need to go find Sal and talk to him at some point." Yeah he owed the bloke an apology.

Nika nodded slowly as she looked up at Ariana. "Do they actually have a record for that?" She then turned back to her food. No more staying up late for Nika. She tried blinking and looked up again. "What was I supposed to look at again" All this tiredness was making her forget.

"I don't think my tongue would ever reach my eyeballs." She said with a yawn. How did Ariana even know this stuff!?! Guess they don't call 'em Ravenclaws for nothing. She looked at her "fork" with her eyes as far open as she could get them. "That explains why it wouldn't pick anything up." Maybe some pudding would do the trick. She reached out in front of her and searched the table for pudding. She used the spoon in the bowl to take some out and plopped it onto her plate. Taking a bite she made a face. "This doesn't taste like pudding." Or maybe it was mashed potato flavored pudding? Or maybe just mashed potatoes.