"Because..." And..she was lost for words..especially when she noticed the smirk on his face. What was his problem!? "..um..because I came here first?" The moment those words escaped her mouth, she flushed bright red. Oh, crap. LAME, Eve. That was really lame. "Anyway, this silence is making me uncomfortable." Yeah, it really was. She loved to talk but just sitting there..pretending like Joao didn't exist was a little difficult.

Louisa was a bit tensed when he started wrapping the bandage around her wrist, her other hand clutched the injured arm and was squeezing it gradually as Paulie worked carefully. It didn't hurt as she'd expected, the pain was pretty much the same when he finished. And Louisa smiled genuinely at him, "It's perfect." Was... his skin usually this flushed? Or was it the first time Louisa actually focused on his face sitting close to him? She didn't comment on that, though.

Leaning back against the bench, she crossed her legs and glared up at her cat which was licking herself now. As if nothing had happened. "I swear he got me an evil cat on purpose." How on earth did she think this was a cute gift a year ago was a mystery. But enough of that 'he'. Louisa's mouth twitched into a coy smile as she spoke again, "You know that me and him are dating now, don't you?" She was meaning the other 'he' now. Paulie should have the super power to get that sudden change of subject.

Okay, so she dropped the subject of his whole 'not measuring up' worries, and so his shoulders relaxed. Paulie was quite remarkable at talking about other people's problems with incredible ease, but when it came to his own, he wasn't quite so skilled. Anyway.. the wrap was perfect, eh? "Excellent. That'll be five galleons for my services." Heh heh.

He lifted his head to get another look at the 'evil cat,' as Louisa called it. "Who got it for you?" Because 'he' wasn't exactly very specific. Pffft, and there she went again! Only this time she used 'him,' and this time Paulie was well aware who the 'him' was. "So, I've heard. And it's about damn time!" It had only taken, what, three years? Now Paulie could get Louisa's whole side of the relationship and how she felt about it and stuff. "And how are things goin' with you and Adam, then?" Because Adam was having some doubts about her real reasons behind dating him..

João laughed at that pathetic reason. He didn't mean to, but it came out of his mouth so naturally. See, Miss Evelyn? He DID laugh. And he had a beautiful laugh too, so voted by many people before.

"If you want, we can make peace and start from the beginning." Logical suggestion, no?

Five galleons, riiiiight. Louisa gave a sarcastic smile and nudged him with her elbow, "I'll pay you later in a way or another." Maybe she would help him with some book or even offer him a drink at the three broomsticks when Hogsmeade's open? Sounds good. Even if Paulie didn't really mean that, Louisa hated to be owing someone something.

"Joao." She answered shortly, moving her eyes off the Gryffindor to Viola up on the tree. "He knew about my last cat and wanted me to start over. My fifteenth birthday present." The same day of her very first kiss, too. When Paulie moved on with the subject, Louisa aaaalmost answered but instead she furrowed her eyebrows and turned to face him - as intimidately as she mustered.

"Why is it always me that answer your questions?" Her mouth curved into a small smile, "And they are personal sometimes. How come you never answer my questions without dodging or playful nonsense replies like I do?" HMM?

Evelyn looked up surprised when she heard him laugh. Oh? "So, you do laugh? I'm surprised." Yeah, no. She was still annoyed with him but..they could forget about what happened and start again, right? She really didn't like fighting with people..even if it was Joao. And..it was just like he read her mind.

"Sounds good to me." The corners of her lips lifted up in a smirk. Although, IF he started to insult her again, she'd just walk off.

"Oo-ooh, is that an invitation?" Paulie winked, then gave a laugh. He didn't ACTUALLY want anything from Louisa; he was just messing with her, like usual.

Joao. Of course Joao got the cat for her - bribing his way into her heart from the start! "How romantic," Paulie added, unable to keep the bit of sarcasm out of his voice. So, really, the cat wasn't at fault here, but it was Joao at the root of all this evil today! No surprise there, nope.

Paulie awaited her response to his question about her and Adam, but.. it never came! Much to his displeasure, because he was quite set on finding out how she felt about it all. Not to mention that he told Adam he would find out for him, too. Instead, she accused him of dodging questions with humor and the like. "I do answer your -" Hmmmm, on second thought. "Okay, maybe I'm not the greatest at giving straightforward answers about my own uncomfortable topics, but ya know.... I don't wanna be a Derrick Downer!" Replaced 'Debbie' with 'Derrick,' you see. "How about you just answer my questions, and then we can address me later." Yeah, that was more of a statement than a question. Paulie needed to get the 411 about Louadam!

She merely chuckled at his wink but didn't answer. When he quickly said a sarcastic comment after that, though, she dropped the humor at once and glared at him. "No. It was really nice of him at the point. I don't want you or anyone else make fun of our relationship even if it's over.." Pause. "Or was wrong." Louisa believed he was a good person deep down and everyone telling her it was wrong was getting old. And maddening.

"Nice try." She gave him a roll of the eyes. "Here's how things go, you ask me a question and I answer straight forward and honest - like I always do- only after you answer one of my own personal questions too." A sly smile was plastered on her face. Deal or no deal? That nonsense about Danny Downer or whoever was just Paulie's way of diverting the attention from the real issue to the catchy words, it's not working with her anymore.

Paulie rolled his eyes as she admonished him for his sarcastic remark. "Touch-y," he murmured. But, he said no more on the matter. At least she was no longer with the guy.

Here's how things go? Man, Louisa was getting serious about all this! He listened to her lay out the format of how he would get this Louadam info out of her, and apparently it was through a game of... truth or truth. Hmmm. "Yeah, okay, fair enough. Get on with it then, Helen." He leaned back against the bench and slumped his arm on the back part of it while he waited for his first 'question.'

Anya made a sour face. "Gross!" she said.

Although, she really did want to find this statue now. How fun would that be?

"It could be because they're supposed to be the nicest house." she suggested. They could just make more friends. That made sense, right? And then everyone would know them.

Yeah, it made sense to her.

Anya returned the smile. "Well, if I do, you'll be the first I tell." She'd probably just tackle Alec. Actually, she pretty much did that every time she saw him.

A-bombed? That sounded dangerous. But, she didn't have time to comment on it. Why? Because her bestest, best, best friend's name was just mentioned.

"Alec? Alec Summers? The cute, tall one with the brown hair in the yellow robes?" she asked practically bouncing in excitement.

"That's my Alec. The best friend I was talking about! I can't believe you know him." Because that meant that Anya could talk about him all the time and it wouldn't be weird.

Louisa's back couldn't straighten more than it did when Paulie succumbed to her rules. She was awesome in bossing people around apparently. WOOT. Leaning back, too, but sitting sideways so that she could acknowledge every single emotion going on his so guarded face. It wasn't that Louisa was looking for anything in particular, but the fact that he knew her so much while she barely knew the going-ons with his life was not right.

"Okay. I'd rather have a veritaserum with me, actually, to make sure you're not messing with me but I'll have to do with just your word for it." She eyed him for a second deciding whether to trust him or not. "How are things going on with you and Tori?" See? She wasn't even seizing the chance to ask him embarrassing questions but merely deflecting the questions he wanted back at his life. It was only fair. "Your relationship is just as strong despite the long distance and lack of proper communication?" It was definitely two years now, wasn't it? Louisa heard of the girl last year too.

Brooke nodded, in agreement with Anya's gross statement. Gross it was.

Nicest house ? did this mean Brooke wasn't nice ?! Brooke pulled a bit of a sad face, fiddling with her hair a little bit. "Imnicetoothough,right?" if Anya said no she was gonna like be like..DISTRAUGHT, not that she knew what that word meant...

Brooke beamed. "I will?! Now i feel special, I dont haff noffink to tell you though." Brooke didn't really ever have exciting news, she couldnt join the quidditch team because..well she couldnt play quidditch. Hehh...

Alec Summers ? Brooke furrowed her eyebrows. "Nope, thats not him." ..Cute ? wait, hold up. Alec was definitely cute, And Anya thought he was cute too. YAY! "Actually, i fink that IS him." Tall with yellow robes ? "Yepp. Thats him!" he was her bestie, that was cool! "Thats so awesome!" They both had besties who did haff cooties, life was awesome here!

João smirked to himself, amused, before getting up to walk over her.

"Hello, my name is João Neves." He held out his hand while with his famous, charming smile on. "And what is your name, Miss?"

If they were going to start over, they should do it properly.

Evelyn raised her eyebrows when she noticed Joao get up. Right. He was leaving..great. She was about to lean back against the seat when...he walked over to her. STARE.

Huh? More staring before she realized that she probably looked..stupid. Um. Right. She gave a small smile although she felt rather suspicious. "I'm Evelyn Wellington. Nice to meet you, João." Evelyn said, shaking his hand. What was going on?

How wonderful that she was playing along. João smiled politely as he bowed with his head.

"Nice to meet you too. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go." And with that, he left.

Not that he had to, but he was bored with her attitude.

Ellie walked into the topiary garden with a purpose. Very curious, she was, as to how Bunny would react with bush!bunny. And she was pretty sure she'd seen a rabbit hopping around here last term. So now, with Bunny wrapped in her arms, close to her chest, the redhead weaved around the bushes of other animals and creatures, making sure she looked underneath the larger ones, in case bush!bunny was hiding behind an elephant's leg or something.

Besides, Bunny was in need of the fresh air. She's either been in the dorms or her pet carrier since school started. But now that she'd seemed to be used to this new environment, Ellie decided to let her feel the grass underneath her paws.

...Once bush!bunny was found, of course.

So THIS was the famous Topiary Garden!

Alec couldn't help but grin as his grey-blue eyes scanned the surrounding area, taking everything in. There were so many different animal-shaped topiaries here! The only time Alec had seen so many different types of animals was in his Dad's Veterinary Clinic. But this? This was completely new and still awesome!

And what was better was that he saw someone he recognised! It wasn't exactly hard what with the person's hair colour. But hey! Now he could spend some time with his awesome, older friend. And maybe he could get some advice about tryouts. That would be pretty cool.

Alec flipped his hair to the side as he made his way towards his Captain. But as he got closer, he couldn't help but wonder why his Captain had long hair. Had it really been that long since he'd seen the boy? He didn't really think so. And... this person? Their hair seemed... different to Keefer's. And they were slightly shorter in height. Odd... no one can shrink can they?

... O___________O

It was just as Alec was close enough to talk to this older person that he realised that it wasn't who he thought it was in the first place. It was a Captain, yes, but it wasn't his Captian. And worst of all, it was her; the one person out of the entire school who probably hated him.

Alec ruffled his hair as he looked at the person again. He couldn't back away now so... the girl was going to get a chat whether she liked it or not! "Erm... hey!" he said, a small smile still playing across his face, "Erm... are you okay?" Because normal people wouldn't be looking under topiaries.

Oakey walked to the Topiary Garden today to search for his missing lucky charm. Around his neck he still wore the chain that held his Rabbit's Foot minus the Rabbit's Foot. He had looked for it yesterday around the pathways and at the Lake. He would have asked Alyssa to help, but after her tearful breakdown Oakey didn't want to make her anymore upset with trivial matters like a lost item.

He considered just sitting on one of the benches and casting the summoning charm again, but decided against it. It didn't work the first thirty times he did it yesterday, why would it work today. Oakey couldn't place his finger on why it wouldn't come to him, he just kept looking around the grounds to find it.

He moved over to the Giraffe Topiary and looked up. Maybe one of the bushes have it and don't want to give it up The Giraffe didn't seem to be holding anything, so he just pushed the Giraffes bushes open a little. He peered quick enough before the Giraffe swung his head around and knocked Oakey back on his butt. Kay, fine you don't have it Oakey retorted back to the speechless Giraffe bush. He wasn't giving up though, he moved next to a Pegasus Topiary. There were no signs of his Rabbit's Foot on it, so he did the same that he did with the Giraffe. He hadn't gotten very far, as he pushed the greens aside a wing lifted up from the Pegasus and knocked him down again.

Oakey was starting to think that maybe the bushes hadn't taken his lucky charm. Why would they anyways, they're plants.

Edric shrugged once more as the girl wondered where the topiary could have taken his peanuts. They were probably stuck somewhere between its twigs and leaves. How was he supposed to know?

And then the girl was suggesting he could get more food in the kitchens.
"That would require me to get up from here and walk all the way back to the castle," said Edric, as if this was a great inconvenience for him. "Maybe your elephant friend should go and fetch me some food, since he's the one responsible for this mess in the first place," he added. Hmph. Rude topiary.

"Why are you so in love with that elephant anyway? Is it your pet or something?" asked the sixth year curiously. He'd never seen anyone so attached to a plant. It was rather interesting.

The first few days have been quite eventful for Mordred and today was no exception. He badly wished that he will be getting good news that morning, but instead he got the opposite. As if that wasn’t enough, while he was contemplating on his family problem, he had to bump into Beezus, and started to go in hysterics because she didn’t write to her. For the nth time, who told her to wait? His disappearance without notice somehow had a purpose, but he never expected she’d be that affected.

Mordred rubbed his forehead furiously as he tried to relax his nerves. He almost lost it back at the Owlery, and he thought it best to just have a stroll at the grounds. Mordred wandered, not knowing where to go exactly, until something caught his eyes. Moving plants in the shape of animals. “Hopefully they don’t have teeth to devour the students.” He said as his thoughts went to the Greenhouse full of Flesh Eating Plants. As he got closer to the garden, he can feel his body relax a little bit. He entered the premises and instantly wanted to kiss the ground.

“Finally, some peace and qui...” his thoughts trailed off as he saw a Hufflepuff being thrown out by the plants.

Smirk. “Oakey.” He muttered. He approached his friend, who happens to be looking for something. It seems to be really important, since he doesn’t mind being thrown out—as long as he was able to take a peek. “Looking for something?” he asked Oakey with a confused look as he watched him get knocked down for the second time.

Oakey stood up and rubbed his bottom to relieve it of the pain from being knocked down twice. That's when he heard the familiar voice. Oh hey Mordy he replied to his best friend. He looked back at the Pegasus Topiary then backed up and faced Mordy. Yeah, I am. How, did Mordy know? Does his Slytherin friend know where his Rabbit's Foot is? IS HE THE ONE WHO STOLE IT! DON'T HOLD BACK MORDY, SPILL THE BEANS! I lost my Charmed Rabbit's foot, and well it's not turning up.

All the way back to the castle? It wasn't that far but Ella didn't dare say so, not wanting to aggravate the boy any further. She frowned when he suggested the elephant go fetch him some food. He was just being mean now and that made Ella feel kind of bummed.

The second year was surprised at the boy's next questions and looked at him, not knowing how to answer him. She didn't want to sound stupid and the thought of him teasing her wasn't exactly far fetched so she was a bit reluctant. Deciding she'd rather answer than sit in awkward silence, Ella began to speak. "Elephants are my favorite animals." She said simply. "The females spend their lives with their family and act as leaders for the herd." Which was pretty cool. "My mom left so I guess I respect how family oriented elephants are." Shrug. "I guess you think that's silly?"

Blink. Blink.

"Rabbit's Foot?" Mordred mouthed the words as his eyebrows furrowed. "You have a Rabbit's Foot?" he said as he shaked his head in disbelief. Oakey must be that deprived of luck. He heard it from his parents way back that it doesn't just bring luck, but it also gives protection. So much for amulets.

"Oakey, you lost a rabbit's foot, no big deal." he shrugged. It may sound ridiculous to Mordred, but it seems very important to Oakey. "Maybe if you'd practice Professor Bellaire's lesson in cleaning, it'll turn up." he added. The last thing he'd like to witness is a crying Oakey over a lost Rabbit's foot.

Edric leaned back on the bench lazily, absentmindedly rolling the sleeves of his uniform up as the girl hesitated on answering his question or not. Fall wasn't entirely here yet and so the weather was still a little too warm for Edric's taste. So he didn't appreciate being left waiting for an answer to a question he was asking mostly out of politeness than interest.

But then the mysterious girl spoke. Her first answer didn't interest Edric much - he figured her obsession with the criminal elephant must've had something to do with simply having a preference for the animal. The girl's following response, though, did catch our grouchy Gryffindor's interest.

Who knew? He'd just learned something new today. And from a random little Hufflepuff girl, no less!
Alright… he supposed he could appreciate that. He admired intelligence in human beings. The majority lacked it.
And when the girl went on to share a personal fact about her own family, Edric's eyebrows raised. Huh.

"No… it's not silly at all," he replied, shaking his head slightly. "It's very… interesting." He paused for a moment. "You actually taught me something new today." Pausing for another moment, Edric turned his brown eyes to the elephant-shaped topiary. "I guess I can find it in my heart to forgive the hairless mammot-- elephant now."

Ella looked down at her shoes when she finished speaking, not sure she wanted to hear whether he thought her reasons were silly. His answer caught her off guard, though, and she found herself studying him curiously. "Interesting..." She repeated quietly, nodding her head in agreement. As for her teaching him something, that was good. Ella liked to think she had things to teach people, things she had picked up along the way. It made her feel quite smart and earned the boy a small smile. "I'm glad I could." She said simply. She followed his gaze as it moved to the topiary and wondered what he would say next as this last part of their conversation had actually been quite pleasant. O__O He called it an elephant. GRIN. And he said he would forgive it, despite the fact that he clearly knew it was only a plant. If she had known him better, the second year might have hugged him. Instead she gave him her most genuine smile and patted the elephant topiary gently on its head. "That makes me very happy." Yup, she was down right cheerful again.