Okay, so both right now were frustrated and angry about this whole situation.

Nikolas tried to calm down because getting angry wouldn't fix anything. He remained in silence when she yelled at him, he was going to say something about it but better shut up. And then Jade started to say something that made things clearler. He was taken aback with this kind of confession and a bit mad. "Well, if you two are not dating then what is the problem?" he asked. There was no problem for him! Jasper could go and found out by his own who did he liked.

UGH.

Why did this have to be so frustrating and complicated?

"But we are "dating". It's just..." Jade couldn't figure out how else to explain it. She really liked Nikolas, a lot, but the fact that this was happening was just unpredictable in the first place. "Give me a day and I'll figure it out. I'll go talk to Jasper tomorrow and call it off." She said, looking down at the ground. She couldn't just look at him; she felt as if she did so much wrong.

And when she did break it off with Jasper, what would happen? "Well what's going to happen when I do tell Jasper and that whole plan is off? That we are just going to get together and be happy or something?" Jade asked, looking up at Nikolas for an answer.

She felt as if they had a conversation just a bit similar to this one beforehand. "Don't you remember that time when I mentioned that we probably would never get along enough to actually be together? That we argue too much with each other?" She said, feeling as an even bigger idiot. "Maybe-maybe I shouldn't have told you." She frowned.

Nikolas was not angry or sad, he was with an straight face. But in his mind there were a lot of thoughts and this is why he didn't like to have relationships, there were problems and something had to ruin everything which in this case was this fake boyfriend Jasper.

"Okay..." he nodded when Jade asked him to give her a day to think and fix everything. Nikolas listened what Jade had to say about the possibility of both of them dating and what was going to happen then "I'm not saying that we are going to live a fairytale.." he started "But at least we'll have each other, isn't that what you want?" he asked. He knew they always argue but I mean who doesn't argue? Everyone does!

"Come on Jade!" he said getting a bit angry "Stop being so negative!" he looked at her " I know we are somehow alike and that can cause us problems but I don't care, I'm glad you told me. So stop regretting it..." he paused "But if you don't want this, let's pretend nothing had happen and that's it"

After class, yes? Because that's what they decided on.

Or what he thought they'd decided. Either way, Treyen was waiting in the corridor for his favorite Ravenclaw, he was torn between giving her the gift he said he had for her (which he never actually said) or waiting a few more weeks...no, no, it was pretty silly to still be thinking about it when he should've handed it over to her the minute he'd arrived to the Castle.

And today was the day, he'd decided. It was only luck that he'd found her sooner than expected, though.

It was also rather lucky that he found that seat by the nearest window possible, which is where he waited for her.

Jade nodded as Nikolas agreed to her decision about talking to Jasper about everything. The deal was that if anybody decided to not want their "relationship" anymore that they would just break it off then. She rolled her eyes when Nik talked about living a fairytale. So did she want it to be that way? Yes, but...all these worries started piling up in her head. They were best friends, what would happen to that if they dated and broke up? Bad things, she supposed.

She didn't want to look at him right now as he yelled at her for being negative. But once Nikolas said that he was glad that she told him Jade looked back up at him. Just more confusion filled her brain. "Maybe I made a mistake." She said, wanting to smack herself at that moment in time. "I don't want to ruin our friendship and I do really like you, but I- just...never mind. Forget this every happened." She said, awaiting his answer.

Ellie followed Treyen out of Professor Scabior's classroom chewing on her lip. She set her broom against the wall next to the window and gave it a long look, questioning once again if she should be practicing or not. But as she turned and saw Treyen, that thought left her mind.

Treyen! by the way.... She could ask him her question, couldn't she? "You don't have to take OWLs and finals, do you?" It was almost as if she was asking him permission to not have to. As if he decided the rules. But he'd know, because he just took them last term. And she was obviously quite worried about it.

Her bag was still in her hands as she nervously twisted the straps.

Well? What did she thought about this whole situation?

Jade made her point of view and she was right in the fact that if they broke up it could ruin their friendship. Right now Nikolas didn't knew what to say and he was slightly mad because..."Just one thing" he started "If you weren't sure about this..." he looked at her "You shouldn't had said it because you know that it's gonna be very uncomfortable seeing each other from now on" Did she thought about this before telling him? Obviously not.

"I do want this but if you don't, that's your problem" he said a bit angry and walked away to his common room.

And there she was.

His eyes fell on the broom for a second before turning to Ellie and...wait, what? OWLs? Finals? Why was she asking that question? The Prefect looked confused enough.

"You have to," he said, the confusion slowly dissipating, "Why do you ask?" because she was so obviously worrying about it when she didn't have to, right? Surely, Ellie had been studying for her exams, yes? Yes? No. Chances were she hadn't been doing that, she'd been practicing Quidditch instead, that was obvious since the broom was in sight.

Treyen gestured to the spot next to him, she was invited to occupy it and then the broom would be away from reach. "What are you worried about?" A very simple question.

Jade understood how angry Nikolas was right now. For she just talked herself out of something she wanted and she couldn't believe she just did that. And like Nik said, it would be extremely uncomfortable seeing him now. Just-it was just complicated. She waved as he walked away and she did the same, walking in the other direction; wandering around the school being heartbroken about what she did.

She had to, yeah. It was a general 'you'.

Ellie bit her lip a bit harder than she was before. To the point where it actually hurt a little. Not enough to complain, though, just enough to feel a bit of pain. "I have a lot of exams to take." A lot of exams to fail was more like it, actually.

The fifth year went and sat beside Treyen. "I have a lot of exams to take," she repeated. But it was true. And, yes, she was only just starting to think of all those tests. She took a breath before continuing, "Mum says I have to pass seven OWLs. The seven core classes, you know. But I'm thinking I'll have to take at least nine to pass seven because I already know I'm going to fail Potions and Astronomy." Potions, obviously. And she was just never good at Astronomy.

A LOT of exams to take.

Yes, he could understand that, he went through that last year, but he's been studying for those since before his fifth year started. There was no actual need for him to worry, yet he still did it when the time came. And now she was doing the one thing he asked her not to, which almost made him miss everything she said. So, yeah, she shouldn't bite her lip.

Wasn't it ironic that one of the two subjects she knew she was going to fail was the one he excelled at? He knew she didn't like Potions, so he wasn't about to try and teach her what she should know for OWLs...but...

...."Okay," he started to say, "First...," because he had many points to make, "...we've been through this before, and you shouldn't hurt your lip anymore." Because she was certainly doing that., but she wasn't getting a kiss this time.

"Secondly, why do you have to pass a certain amount of OWLs?" that was probably adding a lot of stress into her mind, and she didn't need that stress for Quidditch's sake. "Like, does it truly matter? Is it required somehow?" His sister passed five, if he remembered correctly, and she was doing what she wanted to do at the moment.

He cleared his throat before continuing and simply eyed the wall in front of them, "Thirdly...," and there was a small smile on his face, "...I don't think you should sit through the Potions OWLs considering you don't even take the class," try explaining that to Ellie's mother, though. His eyes went back to Ellie as soon as he finished, "And finally, what's really bothering you about all of that? You've never been worried about exams before." So, there had to be something hidden for sure.

She was biting her lip....? Yeah, no, she knew this time because she could feel the sting of it. So, Ellie pushed her lip from between her teeth. Now, though, she wasn't looking at Treyen, but at her feet.

Also, she didn't talk. She just listened to everything he had to say. Or ask. And they were very good questions. Questions that she didn't even have a legitimate answer for. Why did she have to take a certain amount of exams? Because her mom said so. But since when did she actually listen to her mother?

Ellie agreed! She shouldn't have to sit through Potions! "Right?! There's not even a point." She was just going to waste....how many hours did an exam last? However many, they'd just be wasted because she was going to FAIL.

'Finally' was where Ellie wanted to bite her lip again, but resisted. Instead, she tried to dig her foot into the stone of the floor. "I don't want to disappoint her..." 'Her' being her mom. "And," she added, "I don't know what I want to do. I mean, what if I want to do something that I need a certain NEWT for, but can't get the NEWT because I didn't take or pass the OWL?" That was how the system worked, right? Stupid system.

As a matter of fact, there was ONE little thing they could do IF she wanted to pass more OWLs than what she wanted to. But Polyjuice potion only lasts very little. And isn't that against the rules, Mr. Prefect?

There was no point in doing that, and he knew that she couldn't talk to Lafay about it. Skipping an exam was something that one did without letting anyone know, and he shouldn't be encouraging this...but..., "Just don't do it." Wasn't that the other way around...just do it. This was different. "I could help you...but I'm sure that help is pointless to those that don't seek it." Nice timing for bringing up some philosophy into this. "So, I strongly suggest that you just don't take it. You won't fail it if you don't take the test." Sounded like a pretty convincing argument. Why? Because Ellie didn't want to study Potions.

"What on Earth happened over the holidays?" he asked, the confusion was back, and he was even frowning after he listened to the rest. Funny, though, she wasn't one to worry about the future, he WAS the one to do that. Also, he'd been in that same place before. Miranda was back in his mind when she mentioned disappointment but he couldn't recall what she'd said back then. Ironically, the only person he didn't want to disappoint, or hadn't want to disappoint back then, was his sister...and it was the one person that cared very little for what he did.

He sighed, and she should know what came next after he sighed. "I understand what you mean." He was the ONE when it came to fearing bringing any sort of disappointment to the family...but his grandfather had been understanding enough the past summer. "Actually, I remember one Ravenclaw telling me once that I shouldn't be worrying about the future or something along those lines...granted, I was on my third or fourth year and you were in your second or third," Treyen took her hand, "You shouldn't be worrying about it either." There was still TOO MUCH future ahead of them. "And not for exams." It just wasn't like her to be focusing on that so much, anyway.

"As far as 'her' is concerned, I think she shouldn't be disappointed if you follow the path that you want to follow...never mind the fact that it isn't clear to you yet." He continued to speak in the softest voice possible. "I'll stop worrying about exams too, I'm sure there's a way to get the grades you need after the time to take them has come...," like, after Hogwarts or something like that, though, she'll probably have to talk to a Professor and get some extra lessons or something, but there's always a way, right? "...and...this is actually funny...," he said, chuckling lightly, "...I kind of got the idea that what you wanted to do involved this." A book was placed on her lap. Yes, a book, a small one, a Quidditch book. "That's a gift, by the way. Probably the only book you'll accept from me." A gift from him. And Kaika, in a way, since she was the one that was behind the copy process of her own Quidditch notebook, from the times of Captaincy and stuff. Most of the plays, besides being in motion, belonged to one Jake Upstead since she'd rather write Seeker moves instead of Beater ones. She used to remember her plays perfectly, no need to write those. "The broom standing next to us, kind of proves my point."

Yeah...digging her foot into the floor.

Ellie nodded....because she agreed. She didn't want to take it. She didn't see the point in taking it. But then she shook her head. "I'm not seeking help." No. Especially in Potions. She just wanted nothing to do with it. "But if I don't take it, when the results come, Mum'll see that I didn't take it. If I take it and fail, at least I could say that I tried." Though, to be honest, her mom'll probably know Ellie didn't really try. It was pointless thinking her daughter might in the first place. Yet, Ellie was expected to take the exam.

That. That was the key question. "Just Mum being Mum." Meaning, Ellie getting lectured on doing well in something useful. "Only Dad agreed." THAT was when Ellie knew it was worth listening to. "Of course, he doesn't expect me to pass so many, but he does seem to think they're important."

Ellie's eyes immediately went to Treyen when he 'understood'. Really? The boy who enjoyed studying and reading and learning understood? "You passed all eleven of your OWLs. There was never even reason to believe you wouldn't." She was positive he'd pass any exam he took. He probably needn't have even studied as much as he did last term.

She smiled, though. She stood by what she said, too. "That was my third year," she nodded as she took his hand. "Okay..." So she shouldn't worry. Ellie could claim, though, that she wasn't worried about her future. It was her mom that was. Ellie was merely worrying about not giving her mother reason to worry.

Yeah, her mom shouldn't be worried, but that was why she wanted Ellie to pass so many OWLs, right? So that she could excel in whatever Ellie did end up deciding what path she wanted to follow?

Treyen kept talking. And...what exams were he worrying about?

But he was still talking. Chuckling now. Why was it that Treyen seemed to find humor in things Ellie thought to not be amusing at all? But she listened....until there was a BOOK on her lap. Ellie narrowed her eyes at it as she took her hand back from him. To flip through the book, of course. Her lips curled in a smile. "Nah, I think any book you gave me would automatically be deemed safe to accept." Mhm. Because Treyen wouldn't give her a dangerous, scary book, right? Right.

Then her eyes drifted to her broom. She forgot about the digging with her foot thing and clenched her lip between her teeth. "Do something with Quidditch, you mean?" It seemed obvious, but Ellie was one for clarification.

That was all he needed to know. No help will be given to her, at least not on his part. And not in Potions. He already said he could, she just had to want it. Okay, forget everything her mother had said, and even forget what her father had said, Treyen actually agreed with her father. The exams were there for a reason, but he also knew that Ellie wasn't going to be a Potioneer for the rest of her life.

As great as Treyen was in Potions, he wasn't going to spend his life working on them. He could at least try to finish the one he started with Sierra, but that was a different topic.

So, out of what Ellie said, Treyen just said one thing, "I believe you can do better than what you think you can." She could get an A in Potions...if tutored the right way. As far as Astronomy goes...well...he wouldn't mind checking out the stars with her every night until she got it right...but he wasn't the best in that class.

He shook his head, "This isn't about me." The boy smiled, HE was the one that brought himself up in the conversation. "But whilst I did pass all my OWLs...I was the only one who seemed worried about them. No one really cared, which isn't your case." BOTH her mother and father seemed to care enough. "My grandmother was actually surprised to see my grades, she didn't think I was a good student or something," he shrugged, the REAL case had been that she hadn't thought Treyen could outshine Kaika in that way, especially after all the trouble Treyen had caused when he was younger.

Oh, it was her third year? That meant it was his fourth. Makes total sense, considering that fifth year was so close to it.

Okay? Okay as in...she wasn't going to worry anymore?

And now he smiled, "I wouldn't mention this to any other Captain, though, since it's not precisely fair that you get to keep those game plays instead of the Hufflepuff one." Weren't Hufflepuffs fair players, eh?

The smile remained, even at the mention of Quidditch, "Isn't it obvious? It's something you enjoy and...you know, one Slytherin girl told me that one should work on what one enjoys, otherwise it's no fun at all." Harlow Riddle. Nice girl. She owed him a book. "Besides Quidditch...," he started, "...and me...," he was positively smirking, "...what interests you?" it was a VERY GOOD question, because he was slightly clueless about it. Sure, she liked chocolate, but most people did, and those that didn't...like Evelyn...were scary to begin with.

Chocolate isn't an interest, it was just something you liked or not. So, it didn't count.

Her eyebrow shot up. "Between having hardly any Potions education, refusing to drink them, and refusing to brew them?" A D was all she would even be able to hope for. "Maybe I shouldn't take it... I mean...what could Mum possibly do after the fact?" Punish her? What would be the point of that?

Treyen was smiling, so so was Ellie. "Caring and worrying are different. They could care," Ellie cared about his exams, "But you're an amazing student. There was nothing to worry about." Besides...whatever his grandmother was thinking...really? How could she not know how brilliant Treyen was? "My parents don't think I'll do well." Which meant that they had no faith in her....well, in her. "So they're nagging me about studying." Which she SO didn't want to do. She had to practice, anyway. She had a LOT of practicing to do.

The book, yeah. She still had it open at a random page. The play on it looked quite interesting, actually, but she could study it later. "Thank you," she said, closing the book and grinning. And, of course she wouldn't tell any other Captain. Or anyone, actually. Because who's to say that no one else wouldn't tell?

Obvious that that was what he meant? Or that that was what she could do. Because the latter seemed obvious to so many people. "I do enjoy it..." And she could TOTALLY see herself doing it. Moreso now that Treyen's suggested it than when Nia or Professor Bentley did. Plus, you didn't need a Potions NEWT to play. "There should be an OWL in flying." She'd O that.

GOOD question, Treyen. She placed her head on his shoulder and bit her lip as she thought about it. Thought about it probably for longer than the average person should have to think about such a question. "I...I don't know...?" That was...bad. Wasn't that bad? Did she really have no life outside Quidditch? No interests?

It was actually kind of a scary thought.

"Yes." He said, simply. "Even after all that, I still believe an A could happen." Granted, they'll have to be constantly studying...something she wouldn't want to do, and not now that she was Captain. As a matter of fact, the worst thing her mother could do (that affected Treyen in any way) was forbid her to come to Hogwarts, and that wasn't happening, thank Merlin.

Hmmmm, but wait..., "We should study together," he said, out of the blue, "Not Potions and Astronomy, let's leave those two behind, but the rest...we could try and see if I'm actually able to focus with you around." It had been rather difficult to do that before, and even during that History of Magic class that just ended. Which had been such a shame, since he knew a fair amount of information about wands.

She should stop telling him that he was an amazing student, though, he shrugged, "There's nothing to worry about when it comes to you," they shouldn't be worrying about their daughter's future either, yet Treyen's father had been lucky enough to have both kids pursuing what they wanted. Ellie just had to figure it out, and then her parents should be glad with knowing that she'll be happy doing whatever it was she wanted to. But...actually...if it involved Quidditch, there was PLENTY to worry about. He didn't mention that. He smiled instead, "I think you'll do more than well, does that count?" it ought to, at least, bring a smile to her face for trying to change it all around. Still, "It wouldn't be a bad idea, studying a bit more." With him. Wink.

'Thank you'. "It's nothing." It was nothing. He was under the impression that Kaika would be offering a whole lot of resistance into lending him her book, even more when he asked for a copy...but no, since it was for another Captain, she supposed it to be okay...after being persuaded by Treyen, of course.

And now it was time for a small laugh, "I'm sure you're not the only one that has thought about it." About the OWL in Flying. "But it's still not happening." He would've gotten 12 OWLs instead. That was...pressure enough for him to do better, right?

Once her head was on his shoulder, he placed his arm around her and waited patiently until an answer was given. And it wasn't the answer he'd been expecting, honestly, there had to be something else besides Quidditch and himself. "You...don't have to answer that right away...and we can actually forget I asked if that's going to be on your mind for the rest of the day." The Ravenclaw team could hex him if their Captain didn't have a clear mind by the time they had practice.

"Why are you carrying your broom around?" that was another interesting question.

Okay, seriously? Stoppit. There was NO way she'd get an A. She knew NOTHING. Nothing. "Is it that easy, then?" The only way she'd be able to get an A would be if all she had to do was name....five potions. Because she knew of three. By name, at least. She was probably aware of others, but... You know, that didn't matter because and OWL would never be that easy.

Maybe she could get her dad to ask her mom what would happen if she didn't take it. Her dad, like Treyen and herself, didn't think it was necessary for her to take Potions, either. Maybe she'll write to him.

"Study together? I think we could try that." She'd definitely be more willing to study if he were there. And, yes, she was ignoring the 'focusing with you around' bit. Treyen obviously did have focus even when she was right beside him. Need she bring up the match from last term?

See, Ellie agreed with her parents. They were right. They should be worried. She wouldn't pass, or even take, very many exams if it wasn't them she wanted to please. "Glad you think so." Though he was the only one.

That did make her smile. "It definitely counts." Studying more? Honestly, any studying on Ellie's part would be studying more. "Depends what's being studied." Or how many BOOKS were involved. She could be using that time to practice, after all.

Pffft. "It's not nothing." It was really useful and greatly appreciated. Especially in the circumstances Ellie put herself and her team in by LOSING that last match.

"Pity." The world would be a greater place with a flying OWL. You know, the people who proctor the exam were probably horrid fliers. They just don't want to let others succeed in what they would have failed. Probably.

Yeah, she wasn't going to forget that. Nor was she going to answer it, though. She'd figure out an answer, right? At some point. Hopefully. And he'll be the first person she'll tell.

Ugh. Her head turned to her broom again. "It saves time if I bring it with me because most classes are on floors below the Common Room. So it saves time to bring it to class rather than have to climb up the stairs to grab it, then going back down to the Pitch. Especially History of Magic." That was a lot of stairs. A lot of time. "I can use that time to actually be flying instead." She needed ALL the time she had free.

His mouth opened up to say something...but instantly closed. He remembered his Potions OWL, and how he was asked to brew a Potion without the list of ingredients OR instructions to follow. That wasn't easy. How did he do it? "How good are you at remembering things?" because they could make a list of all the Potions that could possibly appear in that OWL and...it wasn't going to be easy, never mind.

It took five years to prepare for it, it was going to be difficult to sum it all up in less than five months.

Treyen smiled. Rather widely too. Since Quidditch DIDN'T count, then he had yet to find out how focused he could get when studying with Ellie, "We should...and I want to say the library...," he started to say, "...but I can lend you my notes and we could study in the Prefects' Lounge instead." Like he did with Arya...but he'll recommend the library because it was better for his own studying. He did like books, after all.

See? He made her smile. And it counted. As long as you had faith in yourself there was nothing that could stop you...but it helped if someone else had faith in you.

What was being studied? Was she kidding? "All the classes you take." He chuckled, but it was true, "Unless you take Ancient Runes...in which case, I wouldn't be of much help, that's the one class I know nothing of." The only one. And he tended to skip Muggle Studies once or twice.

Sigh. "It was my way of saying 'You're welcome'," he said, and it WAS nothing, really, he wasted very little time, and even Ellie's owl was kind of used to that purpose if one considered that the letter Cliodna sent contained Treyen's first question to his sister.

And yes, pity that Flying doesn't count. Heh.

WAIT.

Saving time? "Why don't you leave it in the Locker Room?" that's what he did, that's what everyone did. Or the Hufflepuffs, anyway.

You know what? It sounded exhausting, what she did. And all that practice. It couldn't be...wait, Melanie made them practice more than he asked for. Ellie was probably like her. "You need time away from Quidditch." And he wasn't saying that so that she could spend it with him, but she really needed to spend ONE single day without practicing.

Ravenclaw was a strong team, he was positive they wouldn't object to having their Captain canceling practice for a few days, right?

Hah. "Not very." Surely Treyen was well aware of that. What she did remember either directly involved people, or Quidditch. So, really, she remembered all that was really important to her, but things that were important to exams, she was useless with.

"Your smile's wicked pretty." Ellie was simply stating a fact. That and she was trying to take from the other fact that they were still talking about studying. Granted, she brought it up, but she only had a question. And now it had turned into a discussion. One that was taking way too long and that she had very little interest in.

"I'm not going to the library, though." He'd better not go all Eino on her, either, and drag her in there. Or she'd hate him forever.

Not true, of course, as she only met Eino that same day and grew to love him after the fact, but STILL. No library. "Let's do that." The lounge thing.

Yeah, she probably COULD afford to study all of her classes more. However, she was pretty confident she could scrape an A in most of them. Perhaps even an E. But, sure, if it'll make everyone else feel better, she'll 'study'. "I don't take Runes." Merlin, no.

"I know, but still." It was an excellent gift. And definitely not what she was expecting. Though, if he did have a story also....

The Locker Room? "Sometimes I do." Like after the last practice before a match or directly after a match. "But I like having it with me and..."

She was thinking of another excuse for keeping it in her dorm, which really was kind of pointless, but then he said IT. "What??" She gave him a LOOK. He HAD to be joking or...or SOMETHING. He just could NOT be serious. Didn't he KNOW how AWFUL she was? That she NEEDED all the practice she had time for?

That was a problem. But he decided to let it go. No need to mention anything else about Potions, then. Ever.

And...wait, what?!

What did that have anything to do with...? What had they been talking about? Studying, right? "Fine, I'll stop." There was a faint blush on his cheeks, though. But he knew what she was doing, it was perfectly clear that she wanted to stop talking about the thing she disliked the most. Ellie should've said that instead of mentioning his smile, he would've stopped a long time ago if that had been the case.

Yeah, he figured that out on his own. She wasn't going to the library...and he'll have no other choice but to accept that. In all fairness, it was entirely ridiculous not to step into the library even for a minute throughout the whole school year...but, whatever.

"Actually, we could even study outdoors...but...I'll stop mentioning it." IT. The studying. Because he didn't want another compliment so he'd stop saying whatever she didn't want to hear.

He nodded when she mentioned not taking Runes. Good. Pretty good. He wouldn't have expected her to take both Arithmancy AND Ancient Runes. He also shrugged about the gift thing.

And he was listening...until...right, so, no skipping practice, then? Well, he disagreed, shockingly. "You heard me." Can you imagine the reaction IF he'd mentioned quitting Quidditch for good? She'd hate him forever. "Just one day away from the Pitch. It may do you good."

"Stop smiling?" Cause she saw the blush. "Please don't." Ever.

Stop talking about studying? Thank you very much. Though how Treyen picked up on her oh-so-subtle way of changing the subject, Ellie'll never know. Heh.

Studying outdoors appealed to her most of all, actually. "You can do that?" She was NEW to this. And was constantly surrounded by people who studied in her dorm. There were tables just for that kind of thing in the Common Room. Obviously, Ellie took it to mean that studying was solely an indoors activity. But if they could do so outside, it'd be awesome.

He could just nod yes or no to that. Then he wouldn't technically be talking about studying anymore. And Ellie wouldn't be able to come up with follow up questions. And the subject could finally be dropped in its entirety.

The girl nodded, "I heard you...I was just hoping a 'just kidding' was going to follow or...or something." Because he couldn't...shouldn't be serious. Then she shook her head, "I can't afford a day away. Besides, we just had a holiday. I didn't practice at all on Christmas." Accomplishment? Yes it was. She also had to sneak out to practice a couple of times, because her mom had literally locked her inside to keep her from practicing. Something about too much practice in the snow and cold would make her sick. Pffft. "And I don't see how not practicing could do any good." It was the practicing bit that made perfect, after all. Not the stay-away-for-a-day bit.

Treyen's eyes were on her, "That's not...," what he meant, but he wasn't about to mention what he'd certainly said he wouldn't anymore...or for the remainder of the day. "Never mind." And he smiled, without wanting to, really, but Ellie was rather amusing for some reason.

Hold on.

Was she seriously asking that? Everyone could study wherever they wanted to, even during a Quidditch game while on the Stands if you were stupid enough to do so...but...honestly, Ellie. "Of course." He nodded and he wasn't going to stop talking, apparently, "That's what we'll do...," when spring comes, yes? Because it was rather cold outside right now, "...and...let's not discuss it anymore, okay?" See? He didn't need to tell just how perfect she was to stop the topic from continuing.

Right. Of course. That's what Ellie was hoping, but he was slightly serious about the break-from-Quidditch stuff. He was about to say something...but decided against it and listened instead.

She couldn't AFFORD a day away? She was kidding. Wasn't she?

Treyen shifted on the spot so he could look at her fully. "So, let me get this straight." He started, his eyes were on her and weren't going to look any other way until he finished saying what he had to say, something he'd thought about when she was making that whole speech about not having enough time to practice. Because that's what she meant, there weren't enough hours of the days in which she could be on the Pitch. "Basically, you're wasting practice time as we speak," literally as they spoke, since that's what they were doing, "At this moment, being with me is keeping you from doing what you really want to do." He wasn't sure how he felt about it, honestly. "Can you actually afford to include me, then? In your time?" Huh? Where did that come from? He couldn't dislike Quidditch that much, could he? "I think you, of all people, can afford a day away from Quidditch." It was just luck what got her away from the Snitch in that last match, according to what he heard. She was still an incredible player.

She knew what he meant. Lighten up, Lockhart. See what talk of studying did to people? But as long as he was smiling, Ellie was good.

They'd study outside, then. Fun. Her grin showed that she agreed. To that. "Okay," was her agreeing to not talking about it. Done now? Yeah? Thank Merlin.

Treyen moved. And Ellie knew it was lecture time. If she were home, 'Eliana' would be spoken right about now. And then a long speech would follow. One that the girl could never figure out how to tune out. One day, though, maybe, she'll learn to tune her mother out. Lectures would be much more bearable that way.

What she was expecting, wasn't what Treyen was saying. She had thought there would be encouraging lies words about how great she was and that she didn't need practice and that she was being too hard on herself and blah, blah, blah.

What did he need to 'get straight'?

Wow.

No, no. "You're...wrong." Completely. Could she just tell him to shut up?

Nah, she wouldn't.

"Yes, I could be practicing right now, but I'm not wasting time." She didn't think so, at least. She'd decided on this, by the way. To spend this time with Treyen rather than practicing, as she'd originally planned. As was evident by the fact that she brought her broom to class. Did he really think that she thought she was wasting time? By being with him instead? "I really want to be right where I am." Treyen should know she wouldn't do anything she didn't want to. And if he didn't already, surely their OWLs discussion just proved it.

'Can you actually afford to include me, then?' Ellie turned AWAY from Treyen at this point. What kind of question was that? He was being stupid.

Or...no, he wasn't. He was just voicing a concern. One that Ellie didn't realize he had, but probably should have, yeah? It was her and her practices that kept them from seeing each other now, right? "I'm sorry..." She still wasn't looking at him. Yet.

Because his next sentence caused her head to turn his way. "Why?" Such an Ellie-esque question, yeah? But seriously, what did she do to deserve a break? "I think...if I'd done well...maybe I could afford a day off. But...that's not the case." She wished people would stop denying it.

Right, so, they were done talking about everything else, right? He'll keep on smiling and stop mentioning the studying for a bit...and...actually, no. He had no smiles at the moment.

Wrong? Was he wrong? The word 'afford' was rather strong, he supposed himself to be right about this. Supposed. Treyen still looked away as she spoke, and the scenery out the window seemed to gain his focus for the little amount of time he spent gazing at it.

Ellie could've just taken off with her broom by his stupid questioning...it was stupid enough because...what was he asking from her, anyway? He knew she had responsibilities to her House team, just like he did to his House. But...okay, maaaaaybe he'd been wrong, somewhat. That didn't make his concern to be less than true. The Prefect didn't truly care if she had time for him or not, he was mainly trying to make a point, and failing at it. He was perfectly fine with seeing her once a week, after all, they were barely a little bit more than friends, right?

It wasn't fair for him to say what he did, but there was a point to that, and he just begun to feel worse after she apologized, at which point his eyes were on her.

"No, I'm sorry...I shouldn't have...," shouldn't have what? Because he'd seemed genuinely upset about it at first...so, clearly, some of what he said was completely true, or everything was, "...you don't have to be sorry, really, I should be." Because she hadn't moved away from him even though she had the chance.

'Why?'. He'd missed that. And a small smile made a sudden appearance. He'll answer, soon enough, "Because...," he started again, "...I like you, and I don't like to see you worrying over something that doesn't matter as much to you as it does to everyone else," he also wanted his favorite Ravenclaw to win the Quidditch Cup, "That actually messes up with Quidditch," wouldn't HE know?

"One day off everything will do your mind good." She should just spend one Sunday with friends doing absolutely nothing. That was rather refreshing.

And now he smiled, she was missing an incredible insight on the whole thing, "But you did well, and I'm not talking about getting the Snitch because we both know you didn't." Yeah, Lockhart, nice one. "But your team killed out there on the Pitch," Hufflepuff didn't even score a single point, except for the Snitch points, "Your job as Captain has been flawless so far. A small amount of pride is acceptable."

His eyes were back on the window, "Practice every single day if you want, but take a day off for me." Just one. She didn't need to stress over things. And he shouldn't be adding any stress either, which is why he didn't mention the their time together again.