California was nice, but it wasn't her favorite place to surf. "There are better breaks, but those nifty tacos are great." she added. She loved muggle food and tacos were her favorite. Maddox peered at him as he questioned her. Gosh the questions these kids asked. Couldn't they just take a answer and be done with it. Nope, they had to dig further and just confuse Maddox because she had to remember everything and that was never a good idea. She shrugged at his question, "Yeah I am. Just showed up at the orphanage with this bag," she pointed to her David Bowie messenger bag. "And a bum memory." she added.

Maddox nodded, but she only heard half of what Salamander said. "Do we get to keep the jewels?" she asked as her eyes danced with delight at the possibilities of keeping all those gems. When she pulled herself out of her daydream she finally heard what he was saying. "Do we get a prize if we win that cup?" Everything had to have a payoff if Maddox was going to do it

Salander tilted his head at her curiously "Just like that huh?" he mumbled, still not comprehending a lot of things "So you got no memory of family? When did you start out at the orphanage?" He still had a mental image of her poppin up in the world fully formed. He did a double take at her bag "Heyyy Bowie!" he grinned and gave her a thumbs up. Yup, he knew this muggle musician.

He glanced back at the hourglasses and raised a brow. That actually hasnt occurred to him-- if the gems can be taken. A few years back he'd probably have tried to break the glass and grab as much gems as he could. For all his misgivings at the Astors, he cant complain about how easy his life has gotten as far as creature comforts were concerned. "Uh no, we dont get to keep them jewels. I dont think anybody has ever gotten a chance to do that." he shrugged then glanced back at the Slytherin girl. He had to laugh at the last bit she said "The cup is the prize." he chuckled then added "Well... you get bragging rights too yeah, as a House, plus if you're one of the students on the leader board they call out your name and make others clap for you." Not quite something to fill the wallet but certainly plenty to fill the heart heh.

Gwen passed by the hourglasses with gemstones. She noticed her house was in the best condition, and that made her laugh, because they had 0 points. Nevertheless, she felt proud of being a Ravenclaw.

I will earn housepoints this year!, Gwen thought with enthusiasm. I’m determined to do that.

Tayla stared up at the hourglasses and smiled. The last time she checked them Gryffindor was at the bottom. And now with 333 points, they were on top! "Yes!" she said happily.

Ari walked past the hourglasses on her way to the Great Hall and was delighted to see her House having the most points. Sure, things could change a lot during the year, there was a lot of time until the winner was announced at the End of Year feast, but she couldn't help feeling proud and happy. At least a part of those points had been earned by herself, so she must've done a pretty good job so far. However, there was no need to brag; what she had to do was to keep up the good work.

Isabella Walked By The Hourglasses And Just stared .Slytherin Had been In First Now They Were In second Losing to Gryffindor . Bella Saw another Girl and Guessing by her Robes She Was In Gryffindor .

She Thought it would be polite To Introduce Herself So she walked Up To Her . " Hi , Im Isabella Evans First Year Slytherin . " She Said Grinning at the Girl. " What's Your Name ? " Bella Asked The Girl .

She nodded, she didn't know what else he wanted her to say. "Just like that," she said. Maybe he was slow and didn't get it when she spoke fast or something. "Um I was 7 I think. Have no memory before I knocked on that door and they let me in. Isn't the queerest thing?" she asked him with a shrug of her thin shoulders. She grinned and returned his thumbs up. "Bowie is god," she said dreamily with a silly smile on her face. She loved him.

She made a sour face, "Why cant we keep the jewels?" she hated doing all the work and not getting any of the booty. That's how things went, she gathered with a sigh as she shook her head. "O capitan my capitan," she muttered. Well this was just getting better and better, they got a cup and bragging rights. Well bragging rights were important she agreed. "So how do we win this cup thing?" It was gold and shiny and that was enough for her.

Ari's daydreaming was interrupted by a voice. Turning around, she saw a Slytherin girl standing next to her, watching the hourglasses. Oh, would she hate her because Gryffindor was ahead of Slytherin now? Would she?!? Seems not. The girl just came up to introduce herself. Phew.

'Hi, Isabella! Nice to meet you, I'm Ariadne Marchbanks or just Ari. First year too.' she replied, hesitating before the last bit. 'But in Gryffindor.' the firstie finally added.'Funny thing, this competitiveness for housepoints, isn't it?' the tiny brunette asked, eyeing the hourglasses once more.

Marie stood staring at the hourglasses not very happy to see that those dorks lions were beating Siytherin. They really needed to do something to get their house motivated to win. She did not want to lose to Gryffindor again this term. That just wouldn't be acceptable.

Getting depressed from staring at the points she turned away from the hourglasses and leaned back against the wall. She was waiting for Matty to show up so they could exchange Christmas gifts. She was a little nervous about the gift she had for him. She was going to feel really stupid if he didn't like it.

*Walking up from his common room Matty saw Marie and smiled. She could always bring a smile to his face. Walking over to her he wrapped his arms around her. Giving her a quick kiss he smiled down at her. He could see that she was a little nervous, and he wasn't sure why, they were only gifts. He was more upset that he would be away from her for the holiday.*
"Happy Christmas..."

When Marie seen Matty walking towards her, her face lit up like the top of Vinny's birthday cake once all the candles were lit... and that's a LOT of candles to be lit.

All thoughts of house points left her mind as she pushed off the wall and wrapped her arms around him giving him a kiss back. "Happy Christmas to you too." Grabbing his hand she lead him over to a bench so they coudl sit down.

*Tucking a strand of her hair back he held her hands in his. Okay so maybe thinking they were just gifts and there was no need to be nervous was stupid, because at the moment he felt like a tiny dog in the snow. But he made sure to not shake from nerves, that would be lame and very unattractive.*
"Should we do a toss to see who goes first?"

Smiling as she sat down with him she held out her gift for him. How about we open them at the same time? Then she wouldn't have to be so nervous watching him open hers because she would be too busy opening his.

*Matty couldn't help but laugh a little and pulled out an envelope. Inside were a couple pages of music with the title The Beauty. It was a song he wrote just for her. Matty was a fan of making gifts. Why buy someone jewelry and such when it has none of you on it.

Opening up his gift from her he smiled when he saw it. Matty couldn't help but run his fingers over the words. As if he could ever forget her, but it was nice to think that he could always have her by his side. Leaning over he kissed the top of her head then pulled back to see her reaction to his gift.*
"Thank you... It's perfect. I'll charm it to fit in my pocket..."

Marie took the envelope from Matty then watched him open her gift to him. The look on his face and the way he was touching the words told her she had made the right choice in gifts for him. "I'm glad you like it." She said giving him a quick hug when he kissed her head.

Now it was time for her to open his gift.

Opening the envelope she took out the parchment. He wrote her a letter? But he could do that any time he wanted. Why was he giving her a letter for Christmas? Once she started to read it though she knew it wasn't just a letter. It was a song.

Looking up at him she felt like she just might start crying. "You... wrote me a... song..." She couldn't believe it. It was the most beautiful, thoughtful gift she had ever received although she still liked getting jewelry as gifts too. She gave him another hug. "Thank you baby, I love it." She then pulled him into a deep kiss.

Pulling back after a moment she looked into his eyes. "Do I get to hear you sing this to me as you play the piano?" That would make it the most perfect gift ever if that happened.

*A sigh of relief left him when she said that she liked his gift. He didn't even know that he was holding his breath until he let it out. Kissing her back he smiled and rested his forehead on hers. When she asked if he would sing to her Matty turned a little red and laughed.*
"I don't think I sing very well... but for you I will."

Rachel walked past the hour glasses, she frowned Ravenclaw are in third place! she said to herself, they only had 443 points I will ern more points, I will!

Was he blushing? He didn't really think he was going to give her a song as a gift and not have to sing it for her did he? "I don't care how good or bad you sing. I want to hear it." Standing up she grabbed his hand. "Come on, let's go now." There was a piano waiting for them in the room of requirement. The least he could do was play the music for her if he really was against singing.

She could live with that... for now.

*Taking her hand he got up and scooped her up in his arms and started to run to the 7th floor. He really wanted to play the song he wrote for her. If she wanted him to sing then he would try but this was a piano instrumental.*
"Lets go slow poke."

Marie laughed as Matty scooped her up and called her slow poke. "I'm only as slow as you are now." Wrapping her arms around him she held on as her took off towards the room of requirement. It would be interesting to see if he could actually carry her all that way.

Hugo stared into the hourglass mindlessly. He felt sad. He hadn't known Patroculus too much, but he had really taken a liking to him and now he was gone. Where did he go? He sighed as he looked at the number of stones. Ravenclaw was third, just like any other year.

Fee was making her way to the hourlgasses,she was really worried about Hugo.He didnt seem to fine.Why had that Patroculus guy left?!Maaann this wasnt good at all.Even though the blonde hadnt met him,.he seemed to be pretty close to Hugo,seeing how he reacted to him leaving.Looking around the slytherin spotted her boyfriend immediately.Oh my god,he really looked bad.Coming from behind a little smile crept on her lips.As she approached the third year covered the Ravenclaw's eyes with her hands."Heey sexy",she whispered chuckling a little,"guess who?"

Hugo felt a pair of soft hands cover his eyes. He was just about to turn around and think of a clever thing to say when he heard a stone drop. Like a PONK. He removed Fee's hands from his eyes and said "Look..." He pointed at the hourglasses. "Ravenclaw's second!" he exclaimed and smiled. WHEY! "Splendid. I must work in order to beat you Slytherins-" Hugo said with a grin and almost took off, but caught himself. He took a step back. "But of course I'd rather be with you..." he said and winked.

Rachel walked past the hourglass, it had changed since the last time she looked, it now said that Ravenclaw was second with 497 points, yes! we are not third!

Fee couldnt help but laugh a little at her boyfriend.He was really passionate about winning the hosue cup and it really,really made him...err.. hot.Yes,hot was the word."Ohhh noooo now we are third",the blonde said in fake shocked voice,"Slytherin never is third."The slytherin hadnt done much for classes lately thats why she couldnt be too sad about it.If she head earned more points,skytherin may wouldnt be third now.Oh well."I hope you rather spend time with me than with getting housepoints,Mister",the third year laughed and kissed her bomyfriend on the cheek,"otherwise i might need someone else to go shoe shopping with me."Oh Oh Oh,shoooe shopping.Tne perfect shoes were waiting for her,if she wouldnt get them,she would die.Seriously.