Evelyn gave a faint smile at Ella's encouraging words. It was nice to hear someone say that she was smart.. apart from Blue 'cause the girl was biased. Heh. What did she love? "Um.. as of now, I want to study in a muggle university for a while.." She wanted to study further. Yes, in a muggle university.. and her family had one more reason to be annoyed with her. ".. and I eventually want to move back to London." Not anytime soon but yeah.. hopefully in a couple of years. Hopefully. She laughed lightly when she said that Evelyn didn't have to be sad because people would keep in touch with her. "I hope so." At least, she was sure of four people who'd write to her. Evelyn smiled and shook her head. "Um.. that's not exciting at all actually. I feel.. old and I don't think I'm going to be doing anything special this year." She was busy worrying about her NEWT's to even consider throwing a party or something. Oh, right. Back to that topic. Was it bad? "No. I mean, I don't know.." Honestly, talking about it to Ella didn't seem like a very good idea.. or rather, talking about it at all didn't seen like a great idea.

Follow her dreams? Dreams that didn't involve her family? That was.. pathetic. "So, she has no intention of coming back?" Evelyn asked, looking at the girl with concern in her eyes.

A Muggle University? That was different. "I think that could be fun. I'm the only magical person in my family so I think I'll probably end up at one too, at least for a little while." Not that she had to decide tomorrow or anything, it was just her Granddad had always talked to her about university so she felt she owed him that much. Oh...and Eve would be moving back to London too? "London is quite lovely. I don't think I'll ever move too far away from there." Again, not that things couldn't change but for now she was set on that. The second year smiled at the older badger when she said she hoped people would write her. Of course she had nothing to hope for, people most certainly would. Eve was nice and smart and her friends would definitely want to keep in touch! "Would it be alright if I wrote you sometimes?" Because they were kinda friends now, yeah? And they both loved Quidditch too! Frown. Frown Frown. Birthdays weren't exciting for Eve? PSH. That just wasn't acceptable. "You're not erm...that old! And besides, you can't not do anything on your birthday! We should go have ice cream sundaes in the kitchen! We can invite Edric and Blue too!" D'awww! Eve and her little Hogwarts sister and Ells and her big Hoggies brother! BEAM. But then...so something bad did happen? Or at least Evelyn wasn't sure it was bad? "I erm...well you don't know if it was bad? It was something about a boy...wasn't it?" Cause boys equaled confusion as far as the little blonde was concerned.

Ella frowned, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know really, she erm...well she won't answer any of my letters and uh...well my dad doesn't like to talk about her much." So basically the second year was left wondering if her mom was okay and what could possibly be so much better than being her mother. She felt like she must be an awful child to have her mom just up and leave without any more contact. It was awful.

Hmm? She'd tried it before but it didn't work? Penelope frowned. Well that was lame. Surely there was a way to do it though. The girl was giggling now so maybe she did know a way? Or she was just willing to try again. The Gryffindor supposed that was the only way to find out if there WAS a way. So she nodded. "Yeah, I wanna try." This would be fun! Hopefully, anyway.

Laura looked at Penelope and smiled. "I have the best idea ever." Laura looked at Penelope and then at the ground and then back at Penelope. "How good at you at laying on the ground flat and moving at the sametime?" Seriously if they did that surely the Whomping Willow wouldn't move as it wouldn't realise they were moving.

Jade Skidmoore walked over to the Whomping Willow with some candy in her hand. She kept a safe distance away from the violent tree and took a seat on the grass. Lately, she had been keeping to herself. The Gryffindor Quidditch team was over with and now she had nothing to really do. Except for trying to figure out what to do about Nikolas. She really did miss him and she had heard rumors that he just randomly left, but she had no idea why. At one point she even blamed herself for it and for a week she didn't even go to classes. Now, she just wondered when was the next time she was going to see him.

She laid down on the grass and looked up at the blue sky as she ate her chocolate candy. Where could Nikolas be?

It was weird to be back at Hogwarts and seeing that everything has changed, even the professors. After changing clothes in the common room, he went outside, just to walk around and look for a familiar face. Nikolas wasn't sure if he wanted to see Jade right now, he didn't wanted to explain why he left and instead he wanted to see Selena. He wanted to play a prank on her, just like last terms and now that he remembered Matt wasn't here anymore. That was just sad.

Looking around something caught his attention and near the whomping willow was...Jade. It was awkward, he knew how she was going to react but sooner or later they had to talk. He walked towards her and acting like nothing has happened, he opened his mouth "Well, how are you lady?" Nikolas wasn't expecting a good answer after this.

As Jade stared at the sky, thinking to herself, she heard someone ask her how she was. She recognized the voice but didn't care to look at the person just yet. "I'm relaxing right now, so if you want to talk to me-" She stopped as she finally looked up. She stuttered a bit and her jaw hung open for a couple seconds. She finally realized how embarassing she must look and she quickly stood to her feet.

Before she could even think about what she was doing, she threw her chocolates on the ground and stormed up to Nikolas, slapping him across the face.

Okay, yes, she felt horrible. She never would do that-to anyone, but he just left her there, with nothing practically. "I-I'm sorry." She said, feeling her eyes water. No, she wouldn't cry. Jade Skidmoore never cired. "Why-why are you here?" She asked, angrily.

Before Nikolas could say something or protect himself, he was being slapped and very hard. He knew he deserved that but still it didn't have to be that hard, with one hand rubbing his cheek he waited for another slap or something worse but instead she....apologized?

REALLY?

Nikolas blinked and stared at Jade speechless, now that was something he wasn't expecting at all. He tried to ignore her watery eyes and looked at some random bush, then he looked back and acted cool "Umm, you know...I study here too" he answered with a chuckle.

Jade focused intently, waiting for the answer she waited so long for. The next thing he said though made her remember how much she liked him and she couldn't help but feel herself smile a bit.

--She shook the thoughts out of her mind and made a serious face. "Don't try to use your 'charm' on me, right now. I want to know; where were you? I tried calling you, writing you letters, and here you are!" She said, throwing her hands up in the air.

The seventh year felt a tear fall down her cheek and she angrily wiped it away. "So, what is it? Hmm?" She asked, trying not to break down in front of him. She had to keep up her strong, independent attitude.

Of course Jade Skidmoore couldn't resist his charm, even though he shouldn't be acting like this. Nikolas was the kind of person that would act cool and indifferent towards a problem, that was his way to "fix" it. "So, my charm does still work?" he asked in a flirty way. Once again he was avoiding answering her question.

But after watching a clear tear, he knew he couldn't continue like this. Nikolas looked at her and without hesitation he hugged her , "I'm sorry" he whispered.

Nikolas was practically asking Jade to smack him again because she was getting even more mad; if that was even possible to do so. His question was answered with Jade's narrowed eyes and angry face. Of course his charm still worked, but she wasn't going to let him know that. Especially when she was furious at him.

She felt him hug her and she felt like she could just let all her frustration out right there in tears, but she wouldn't allow it. As he apologized, she pushed him away. "I'm not accepting your apology until you tell me why you just left." She said, her voice cracking. She hesitated on her next question, but decided to ask anyways. Who knows, maybe he would just randomly leave again. "Was it because of me?" She asked. He had to at least answer that.

Why girls couldn't accept an apology and move on like nothing has happened? Oh yeah right because that was something imposible and besides Jade did deserved an explanation and he didn't wanted to give one. Nikolas was going to say something random but what Jade said next stopped him, "You?" he raised an eyebrow. "Of course not" he was 100% sure about that. "You know I just wanted to...get away from Hogwarts for a short time" he said looking confident.

After saying that, Nikolas sat down in the grass " But I'm glad I'm back" and lay down "And I bet you couldn't be more happy to see me" he winked.

Jade waited for that one answer and when he said that he didn't leave because of her she sighed out of relief. But why did he leave still? His next comment made her raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're not lying? Because if you just wanted to get away from Hogwarts, wouldn't you think telling me would be better?" She asked, stepping down on one of the chocolates she had thrown beforehand.

The brunette watched as he easily laid down on the grass and couldn't be more like himself. She wanted to just lay there with him and catch up, but no, she wanted answers. However, she thought sitting down next to him was okay, right? She hesitated, but then slowly sat down next to Nik. "I don't know how you can act like that. Especially right now." She said, with a frown on her face as she picked at the grass.

Nikolas briefly closed his eyes and listened to what Jade was saying, "Telling you would have only made things worse" he said and continued "You'd have freaked out and started to yelled at me....more than you actually do". He covered his already smacked cheek just in case Jade decided to do it again.

He was feeling a bit sleepy and that didn't helped much since Jade was still mad at him and wanted answers. "Act like what?" before Jade could say anything he continued on "Everything is fine. You are fine, I'm fine...nothing's wrong"

Jade listened as Nikolas continued on and she could only feel guiltier by the second. That last part though made her stop picking at the grass and give him one of her death glares. She watched though as he covered his cheek with his hand and she sighed. "I didn't mean to; I was just mad." She said, picking at the grass again. "I would've understood if it was a good reason though."

She was about to tell him how he was acting and he said that everything was fine and nothing was wrong. She didn't know how to feel about that, she didn't even know what to say to that. She sat there in silence for a couple of seconds and smiled down at the grass. "You know, I was so angry, I took up Quidditch?" She frowned. "I was pretty good, I just wish I knew beforehand instead of having to figure it out when I was mad at you."

She ran her hand through her hair, trying to move it out of her face when she looked down at Nik. "Don't get any ideas though, I'm still partially mad at you; especially since you're not answering any of my questions." She crossed her arms, almost like a little kid would do.

"See this?" He pointed his cheek and it was slightly red "You are mean" he shook his head. "But I guess...I kinda deserved it", hard to admit it but it was true. "Just try not to do it again"

Nikolas didn't have a reason, well in fact, he did but he wasn't going to say it right now. And what a great news Jade gave him, "YOU DID?!" he couldn't believe it. He chuckled at what she said next, "See the bright side of being mad at me? You discover things you didn't knew". Of course Nikolas knew Jade was confused about his sudden disappearance but when he felt sure he was going to talk with her. "In fact I do have answered your questions"

Jade looked over at Nikolas' reddened cheek and bit her lip in frustration. He was asking for it now, even if it wasn't literal. "I'm not mean, Nikolas." She said, using his full name which she rarely used. "I already apologized, what else do you want?" She asked, shaking her head.

"Yes, actually I did. If you were here, you would've known that." Jade said, glaring at him. "I wish I didn't have to figure that out while being mad at you. So please-don't do it again." She said, frowning now.

The seventh year couldn't understand how he could be so relaxed and at ease with everything. He practically just left and he wouldn't answer any of her questions. She was completely frustrated. "No you didn't and don't play these 'mind games' of yours. They don't work on me, no matter how charming you are." She said, turning in a circle in the grass that way her back was facing him.

Erick Ebony stood with his arms crossed againts his bare chest as he stood next to the Willow. It seemed to be sleeping, and it didn't move at all. He kept thinking about the pretty girl he met the other day. He hoped they could become friends, there were lots of things he was sure they could do.

Taylor came down the path to the williow. She was back to looking girly again. Tay smiled at Erick when she noticed him and went over to him. "Hey, Erick. How have you been?" She smiled and twirled one of our curls.

Nikolas shrugged at her response and laid back down again. "The redness won't go away with an apology" he knew he was starting to get Jade on her nerves "I'm just kidding!" he said before anything happened.

"I'll try, but I don't promise anything" Nikolas would have liked to see Jade playing Quidditch or both of them playing Quidditch, and wondered what else have he missed in this short time he had been gone. "Have you seen Selena?" he said without thinking.

Oh, so he was charming? Not that he didn't knew that already but it was nice to hear it from Jade "I know you can't resist my charms, even if you deny it" and no he wasn't playing mind games. Maybe just a little.

Jade was about to start to yell at Nikolas again as he said his next comment about the redness on his cheek and when he said he was just kidding she could only shake her head. "So what about us?" She hesitated. "...I-I didn't know if we were together or not and there was this one guy..." She trailed off, not daring to make eye contact with Nik.

She wished he would promise her that he wouldn't do anything like that again but he wouldn't. It was just frustrating, however once he mentioned the weird girl's name she could only frown. "Let me guess. You wish I was the one you saw last or never, because you care so much about Selena that when you're with me you can only think about her!" She yelled.

"I can resist your charms. I've been doing it now, haven't I?" Jade said, narrowing her eyes at him.

Nikolas was looking at the sky as he listened to Jade asking another question. This time he got up and looked at her, was there another guy? "A guy...what guy?" he asked with a serious look. Whoever this guy was, he must know that Jade wasn't available NOR SINGLE. But no, Mr. Agger wasn't going to show any jealousy.

After asking for Selena, Nikolas realized the huge mistake he had just made "That's not true, I was just wondering if she was still here..." Good lord, Jade was going to slap him again "SO I can play a prank on her" Happy? And he was sure Sel hasn't even realized Nikolas hadn't been in Hogwarts. "You can stop denying it whenever you want to, but we both know that's not true" End of the story.

Jade smiled to herself as she could tell Nikolas was getting jealous. There wasn't a guy, but she was going to get him back for what he did to her. "There's this guy who I've been hanging out with and...and he told me he liked me. I didn't say anything back to him, but since you were gone I didn't know if we were still together or not." She said, giving a guilty face.

That better not be true. Jade was a little bit pleased when Nikolas said he would play a prank on the weird girl, but she'd rather have it that he would never be around the girl instead. "Well yes, unfortunately, she is still here and it's the truth. I can resist your charms." She said, nodding. No actually, she couldn't, but she was trying as hard as she could.

Okay...

"Oh, really? Well, I think you should go back to him and say: 'I feel flattered but I already have someone' " Not to mention that if Nikolas knew this dude name he was going to say several things, just in case he didn't understand that Jade was not single. And yes, by saying that he meant they were still together.

At least Jade wasn't yelling or slapping at him but Nikolas was going to look out for Sel after this, "Have you talked to her?" he asked. And Emma were could she be? But no, he wasn't going to ask for her or Jade was probably punch him this time. Heh. "Mhm, yes you totally can resist me" he slightly nodded "Keep lying to yourself woman"

Jade couldn't help but laugh a little. It was too hilarious not to laugh as Nikolas seemed to get upset. She kept a serious face though and nodded. "But what makes you think that I want to still be together with you even though you just left?" She asked, crossing her arms as she looked up at him.

So had she talked to the weird girl? "Yes, I have, unfortunately. Once, though and I've planned not to again." She said, with a angry look upon her face. Selena Zabini-Riddle was not one of her best friends, that was for sure, and that one encounter with her this year was horrible.

Nikolas kept on going on about how she couldn't resist his charms and she could only roll her eyes at him. She could, sometimes. Instead she just poked him in his side and gave a little smile.