The Courtyard
 

http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t.../courtyard.png
Image by Destiny

A stone square courtyard is the first aspect of the grounds that you come to after you travel through the corridor. Surrounded by magnificent stone columns adorned with luscious ivy and slight lily growth, the courtyard provides students with benches to sit on with their friends or for the one who just wishes for some peace and quiet. Also, in the middle stands a very illustrious Wishing Fountain.

for Lex/Tag <3
 

Back at Hogwarts finally. Tag's stomach was full and he was ready for his first adventure with his newest Lion. Melanie. Or better know as either Landon's girlfriend, or Landon's future girlfriend. Yep. But for her sake, Tag would at least call her Melanie. Or Melon head. Both were cute.

So as he made his way around the castle, finding some fresh air on this fine day he found his favorite new person. An, yes, she had the costume. Perfect. The plan would fall into place nicely. Melanie had her eyes closed so Tag didn't really know how to call her without making her jump. He first contemplated on touching her shoulder, but she'd jump, even screaming her name from a short distance would alert her. So, he softly whispered from afar, "Melon head...Melon head.." Hmm. No movement yet. Tag saw a random branch off to the side and picked it up and gently prodded her with it. "Up up Melanie." He continued gently as he used the stick on her.

Melanie thoyght it wasn't hard to tell that Autumn was right around the corner. Then it would soon be Winter. She couldn't wait till Winter. She would be able to wear giant jackets and warm hats, what wasn't to like about the season? A bit wrapped up in her thoughts, she had,almost forgotten why she was even out here with the costume in the first place. That was until she felt something poking her.

Eyes still closed she swatted it away. What was that thing poking her and who was calling her Melon Head? Opening her eyes to the sound of her nickname being called she sat straight up quickly, and careful to not drop the camera on her lap.

”Tag!” Melanie exclaimed beaming from ear to ear as she looked at the blond boy. Ah, their plans could definitely start now. She was super excited about it too. Melanie was SURE the younger boy would look cute times ten in the costume and it would be a blast. ”I have the costume! Where shall we start?” Melanie asked excitedly, standing and putting the camera in her bag. She stood the costume upright and held onto it to make sure it didn't fall.

She wondered what the people's reaction to this would be... Hehe...

anyone?
 

Even though she had been planning on going for a walk that day, Gwen decided to stop by the Courtyard first. This time with a book in her hand, the fifth year made her way pass the fountain, and headed towards the benches, eventually picking a random place where to sit. The Ravenclaw gave a quick look around, trying to figure out if any of her friends were around. Not really. Hmm, and she had only made plans with Ariadne to meet at the library sometime later that day, so that would mean she had plenty of time until then. Drawing her attention back to the book she was holding in her hand, the girl examined the cover for a moment before flipping the first pages in a hurry.

She had been willing to start reading it ever since she got it from her best friend on Diagon Alley, but with all the shopping she had to do before school started, then with the train ride, she hadn’t had much time. Flipping the pages of ‘Potions elabore’, by Yvette Cerisefleur, the fifth year tried to find the chapter which interested her most.

After coming across just what she needed, the Ravenclaw began to read, pleased that she managed to find a quiet place at Hogwarts, without all the hyperactive firsties zooming around.

Ariana Sat in the courtyard, her favorite place by far. She sat on the ground leaning against a stone wall she was going over her flying techniques in her head preparing for Quidditch tryouts but she was also writing

Serenity happened to be in the garden. Why with having been punished already and threatened with losing 50 points she wouldn't mind a few moments peace. "So apparently you DO like fountains then? Y'know, cause now you have the choice of many places where you might be, and you choose to sit here. Or perhaps you just want to crush more kids dreams? You should tell them santa isn't real next, that'd be a real tear jerker." she said, giving a crack at humour, she didn't want a repeat of that Theo situation.

Oh miss Ravenclaw-smarty-pants was reading was she? 'Twas to be expected, she was a Eagle. Oh yeah, she needed to OWL her parents sometime. Serenity turned out her pockets looking for a penny or something to throw in the fountains. Old habits die hard. Of course these robes were practically new, and there was nothing except for a pencil which she was certain was a rather horrible reminder of last night. Someone ought remind her to throw the evidence off the astronomy tower later.

Gwennie was reading something about Potions. Damn, she didn't know a thing about Potions so that wouldn't be a suitable topic. Wasn't the Snakey head supposed to be a Potions teacher? But how come she didn't come and punish them instead of Mr. Savior or S--- whatever. She could ask later.

Finally Richard was out to discover this school but unlike his previous one this one was huge. This was a huge castle and the boy had to admit; he liked it pretty much. When he was finally out on the grounds on his grand tour, the Slytherin suddenly found himself at somewhere that looked like a courtyard.

Yeah, it was a courtyard.

There were people around but he just watched around before his gray eyes went to gaze them. Not a bad place at all. It could be better if there were more........eh whatever. When his gray eyes found a girl, apparently from his house, sitting alone, he immediately made his way towards her. Then he sat next to her and smiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirked ''Hey there, pretty!''

Ariana Jumped when someone sat next to her.. and called her pretty..

she looked over and did NOT recognize this guy at all, though judging from his robes he was a slytherin
She closed her book with her writing in it and lowered her eyebrows at him "Can i Assist you with anything?" she asked rather rudely, though not meaning too, ever since last night she didnt like meeting new people

Oh? So she was another.

Richard smirked as he stared back at the girl. Did that mean every girl in this school was moody or was it just the girls in his house? The boy did not know but he was determined to snatch a conversation from them anyway. The harder they got, the more attracted he was.

''Maybe you can'' he replied ignoring the very cold tone the girl had used while talking to him. He was never the one to like 'too friendly' people anyway. Especially not girls. ''Though why don't you tell me that you need help with those notes you are taking instead?''

Good idea? Maybe.

"i wasn't taking notes i was writing." did he see what she was writing, cause that may or may not be a good thing.
She put her notebook off to the opposite side of her from where he was.
this boy was determined that's for sure, maybe because he was a slytherin, and they were pretty determined, or maybe he just wanted to give her hell.
she looked up at him again her eyebrows still lowered "Are you new here?" she asked since she had never seen the guy before

After a few minutes of poking her Melanie finally woke up and with a smile that went to both sides of her face. Perfect. She was awake. Their plans could go into action. And, yep, there was the costume standing up right, a smirk spreading over Tag's lips. "Ahh, good to see you awake. " he greeted her with a little chuckle. Unfortunately, that was the best laugh he could get, seeing as he hadn't scared her too much. No worries-they'd have the all the time in the world to do that within the next few minutes. "Well, first of all am I wearing it or you? Secondly, I think we should hide behind stuff and just jump out and scare the people. Or should we walk behind them and tap them on the shoulder. Either way, they're both funny." He told her.

Melanie giggled. She hadn't exactly fallen asleep, had she? She had just been leaning back and enjoying the pleasant weather. She smoothed out her hair and looked at the blonde. She wasn't sleeping. "I was just resting my eyes," Melanie corrected. That was definitely it. People did that, didn't they? Didn't he rest his eyes? They must get tired at some point or another! And what had he been poking her with?

A stick? Where had he picked that up from?

Melanie nodded her head as the younger boy spoke. They still needed to decide on stuff, didn't they? "You wanted to wear it right?" Melanie asked. Because she was pretty sure the boy had said that at some point. "If you want to wear it, you can wear the costume and maybe we can switch off later on or something," Melanie said. That way both of them could wear the costume and scare people. Hopefully they wouldn't scare anyone to the point their hair turned white though - was that even possible? Melanie just nodded her head as Tag told her his ideas. "If we go to the kitchens later, we can also get a whole bunch of carrots and hand them out to people," Melanie added. Because it would be a nice gift for those they scared or alarmed or something, wouldn't it?

Gwendolyn continued to read about the ingredients used in memory potions, when she heard footsteps approaching the place where she was sitting. Since it was probably just a student passing by, Gwen didn’t mind to look at who it was. Probably not even someone she knew, anyway. But the person soon started talking. The Ravenclaw just raised her eyes from the book and looked coldly at the girl. It was that annoying firstie she had met on Diagon Alley.

What did she want?

Gwen listened to her talk, even though she would have preferred to continue reading out of Potions élaboré. ‘Is that all?’, she said curtly, eyeing the girl for a moment. Whatever it was that she wanted, Gwen couldn’t figure out. Might as well just ignore her... Gwen just rolled her eyes at the younger student before drawing her attention back to the book.

Instead of waiting to see what the girl would say next, because, let’s face it... Gwendolyn was hoping that she would go away, the Ravvie continued reading.

The Slytherin could just go back to throwing coins in the fountain.

Well Gwennie didn't want to talk then, did she? She raised her eyes to see who it was and kept to her book. Well, it was to be expected. Last time they had met at least it hadn't been her fault then. The silly Ravenclaw had been mean about throwing coins in the fountain. Serenity knew she was a good few years older than her and almost definately must know some kind of an spell that could bring all the coins out of the fountain, so it was win-win for her right?

Gwen just kept reading and finally asked, in an accusatory tone, if that was all. Serenity sighed. Out of her somewhat more filled left-hand side pocket, she pulled out a few pennies; knuts and a sickle. She'd be saving the sickle, could probably get something decent with that. Serenity was bored of talking to older people. They all got annoyed really easily. And none of them liked first-years either. Whatever.

Serenity chose the least-shiny knut, which in her opinion was worth the most, seeing as it was the oldest. She could trace the little letters with her finger; 2054, about twenty years ago now. Serenity could imagine all the people who'd had this. What they'd bought with it? Stuff like that. And also what happened to all the previous owners? Some of them would have died she could guess. She rolled the little coin to Gwen. Well, in her general direction. Perhaps she would enjoy throwing coins in the fountain if she tried it. Maybe she was like that muggle saying, something about burning money. Well if she wanted she could spend it on something. Not that there was a lot that could be bought for a knut. Serenity shrugged. "Whatever. You can have it. That's all." It would be the extent of her goodwill gesture. She had tried being nice earlier. Apparently to anyone over first-year, Hogwarts grounds were for silent reading, and NO talking. Great.

Richard's gray eyes followed every single move of the girl, gazing carefully as she put her notebook away. Away from him. That, of course, made him grow curious about the contents of the notebook. A diary perhaps? Or something she just wrote in. But what did she write about? ''I don't see a difference''

Looking up and over the girl a bit, he tried to see the notebook at the other side. He tried to see if she kept it safe or if he would be able to snatch it from her. He tried to look at the notebook then back at her. Okay, he was not going to snatch the notebook away from her. That would be stupid and uncalled for.

Then the question came. ''Is that too obvious?'' Richard asked after chuckling a bit.

VM if you reply!
 

Ariella quietly floated into the courtyard, walking silently on her bare feet. with her brown hair french braided so it wouldn't get into her face, she hugged her tattered notebook close to her chest and a pencil tucked behind her ear. Ari spotted an empty bench with a great view of the fountain and hurried over to it. She climbed up onto it and sat crisscross.

Opening her notepad to a blank page and grasping her pencil she studied the fountain for a few minutes and the students sitting around it before letting the pencil make contact with the paper and started to sketch, humming quietly under her breath...

Tag arched his right eyebrow at her description of not sleeping. "Right. Then you were napping?" He asked. He'd heard of resting eyes but wasn't that just a more fancy way of saying napping? But she didn't have a blanket or pillow with her and she hadn't used the head of the bunny costume as a pillow either.

"Yeah! I wanna wear it!" Tag said very excited as he shuffled side to side in excitement, a tinkling sensation tickling his finger tips.Then he stared at the costume the head looked like it might make him topple and he seemed to barely fit the height of the open space of the head. "I'm not gonna trip over, do you think?" The leprechaun asked as he acted out himself slowly tipping over to the side and then tripping over his own feet. "The head looks like it'll be heavy on me." Melanie then suggested to hand out carrots to the people. If they did maybe she should hold the carrots and keep Tag at a safe distance. He'd probably munch on more than half of the treats before they were able to pass it out to the people. Well, Melanie was being a good student. "Yeah, sure-we can pass out carrots." Tag agreed with her with a small nod.

"they are just songs, and my evil thoughts & pranks i plan on using later." she smirked. this guy was all to curious. She rolled her eyes and picked up her notebook tossing it at him. she didnt care she had nothing to hide in there.
"jusst a little bit." she said raising her hand her thumb and pointer finger almost touching but not.

The little brown and white cat jumped up onto the bench where the girl was sitting and meowed at her curiously. It seemed to her that whenever someone was trying to write or read, or in this case, sketch, that obviously meant that it was her petting time. She rubbed against the girls arm and planted her front paws on her leg, making ready to jump into her lap, all the while, purring nosily.

HELLO STRANGE HUMAN, PET ME.

Taryn was very much considering leaving Clara in the common room for the rest of the term. As it were, it was only the first time she'd taken the cat out for a bit of fresh air, and it had run off on her while chasing a butterfly. She continued walking the direction the cat had run off in and was a few paces away from the bench where the girl was seated, when she spotted the ball of fluff. Tsking, she walked up and reached for the cat, "Clara, it is quite rude to bother people." Yeah, as if the cat knew what she was saying. Though Taryn sometimes thought that she did and she did things on purpose.

She glanced at the girl and smiled, "Sorry about that. She's quite friendly, maybe too much." She seriously hoped the girl didn't mind, wasn't afraid of cats (though Taryn wouldn't understand why anyone would be...) and didn't have some sort of allergy.

Meow!

Snapping her head in the direction of the noise and noticed and brown and white cat jump up onto the bench next to her. Ariella giggled when it placed it's paws up on her leg and rub against her arm, "You want me to pet you don't you?" She asked the silly can and ran her hand across the cat's back.

She looked up when she heard footsteps approaching the pair on the bench and noticed an older girl tsking as she starred at the cat. Ari assumed this was the rouge cat's owner and smiled at her when she got closer.

"Naw, it's alright I love cats. I would have gotten one but my brothers allergic so I got an owl," Not that Ari hated Archer or anything, so loved him, plus he could deliver her mail... "She's adorable, you called her Clara right?" She asked, tucking her pencil back behind her ear, leaving her fountain drawing unfinished...

Oh? Well, that was good then. Taryn didn't particularly want to make any enemies over her cat. She glanced down at the cat in her arms and rubbed her head. She couldn't be angry with her, she was too cute.

"Well, in that case, would you like to pet her some more?" Taryn didn't mind at all and she KNEW that Clara would eat up all the attention she could get. She nodded as she placed the cat back on the bench and watched her slink over to the girl again, rubbing against her arm. "Yes, Clara." She glanced at the young girl, not recognizing her from anywhere around. She was probably a first year or a transfer. Hmmm. "Did we interrupt you?"

Napping... she hadn't dozed off had she? She gave him a bit of a blank look. Maybe she had been napping... and hadn't realized it... was that possible? "I don't know," Melanie decided with a slight smile on her face as she ran her fingers through her hair. She really didn't know. If she had taken a nap without knowing, there must be something wrong. Maybe it was because she hit her head on the train. She'd have to see the nurse for that.

But it was a good thing that he wanted to try it on, no? Melanie grinned at him. Seeing how excited he was made Melanie more excited. She giggled and looked at the costume then looked at the boy. "Even if you do, it won't hurt," Melanie said, laughing as she watched him acting - or not acting, she wasn't sure - a bit unbalanced and wobbly. Plus, Melanie would know that it didn't hurt... from experience. "The head isn't that heavy... you'll get used to it quickly, it's just a bit warm," Melanie said, nodding her head.

And if they were going to be running around it might get really warm really quickly. Maybe there was some cooling charm or something they could ask some older kid.

They were going to hand out carrots! "Yay!" Melanie exclaimed, clasping her hands together with excitement before she picked up the head.

"Well, Mister Kildare, do you want to suit up now?" Because she was pretty sure it'd be adorable. And she wanted to take pictures!!

Gwen continued to read her book, and, even though she was hoping that the Slytherin would leave, she was almost sure that that wouldn’t happen. Slim chances. And she was right. But somehow, Serenity stopped there with her little speech. Good. That was enough for the day. Gwendolyn didn’t feel the need to apologize, because, well... because she didn’t do anything wrong. She simply continued to read the details about the ingredient in the Wit-Sharpening potion, when she heard Serenity say something.‘Hmm?’, the fifth year mused, raising her eyes from the book and looking back at the girl.

Hmm.

What now?

‘You can go ahead and throw it in the fountain’, she said nonchalantly. All riiiight. Maybe that was a bit too much. Though... she was still sticking to her point of view. Throwing coins in a fountain and making wishes was silly. Maybe she should apologize? Naah. After all, Serenity hadn’t been so very nice either. Meh. Consider it even. Though, the Ravenclaw was a bit sorry.

Just a bit.

She then drew her attention to the Potions book, then once again back to Serenity. ‘Do you want to sit?’, she asked the young Slytherin. Her way of making peace with the girl. Mehh. Not that she would admit it, but she didn’t really mind her presence. After all, Serenity did seem to be a bit more promising than some of the firsties.

Presley storned out into the courtyard, looking for somebody she could possibly talk to, and her eyes fell upon the only familiar face in the whole yard. Gwendolyn. Presley stomped up to the fountain, and sat down next to Gwen who was reading some potions book. Her roommate always had been into potions. Completely disregarding the somewhat familiar looking first year Presley looked at the other fifth year. "Gwen, do you know how to be sympathetic?" She wasn't even being snotty or sarcastic. She was genuinley asking a question. Hopefully Gwen recognized that, and didn't think Pres was trying to be rude.

Anyone?
 

Amelia wandered out into the courtyard, having felt the need to get out of the dungeons. Sometimes they could be stifling, even though she wouldn't choose to stay in any other place. She loved her house after all. But at the same time she felt the need for sunlight, and to just be out in the open.

Sighing Amelia dropped down on a bench, tipping her head back and enjoying the sun. She needed to come out to the grounds more often this term since it would be her last.

The courtyard... Sarah had been on her feet the whole day and wanted a place to sit down. She sat down on one of the stone benches and took out a book. Before she opened it she took a glance at her surroundings. There were students, more benches and of course a wishing fountain. It was nice to be outside in the fresh air. She took a look in her book, turning to first page. It was a nice book and soon Sarah was lost in a Historical Novel set in the time of the Goblin Rebellion.

Hmm. So the Ravenclaw still held no intrest in throwing coins into the fountain? Whatever. Serenity would give up. Gwen would probably NEVER throw a coin into a fountain, inless by accident. And Serenity would continue to throw coins in the fountain. Even in ten years time. Merlin! That was ages away. Well, years. Still, she'd be 21. Gosh that seemed much too old? Well, nearly twenty-two actually, since she would be twelve in December, and even that seemed a long time away, though it felt like such a small number.

She almost wondered what potion she was reading about. Serenity and Lex had decided they really needed to learn loads of potions and spells, so they could go around jinxing people and stuff. Yeah. Well, no, for self-defence . Still, Seri didn't even know where the library was, and she wasn't sure she was ready to trek off there quite yet, considering she also had no idea where it was and didn't fancy getting lost. It also sounded as though it must be enormous. She'd get lost on the way to the library and then again in the library.

Fine then, she'd have her rusty coin back. She would send off for her parents to get a load of sweets for her. Well, there wasn't a lot she could get for a knut. Seri rolled her eyes and shrugged, whatever. "You don't have to believe in it, but you won't stop me from.. wishing." Well, one day it MIGHT come true, however unlikely. She still had faith. Yeah, she'd put this coin at the bottom of the fountain, but a bit later. Her grandparent had once given her and each of her brothers a galleon. They'd put it towards a Nimbus or sweets but she was still young and had wished for something in the fountain. Her brothers teased her about the wasted galleon.

Mmckay, she would sit. "Alright." Seri shrugged. And theen another kid appeared. Something to Gwen about being sympathetic.. Hmm? She was probably about Gwen's age and another Ravenclaw. Hmm, was she another one into books who thought making wishes in a fountain was pointless.

Even though she was still sticking to her point of view, that didn’t mean that Serenity couldn’t have hers. ‘Fine by me’, she said simply, after having heard the young Slytherin talk. She then moved a bit to the right to make room for Serenity on the bench as well.

The fifth year was ready to make peace with the young Slytherin, actually considering apologizing to the girl. That may not be a bad plan. Just as she was thinking about this, the Ravenclaw heard footsteps approaching the place where they were sitting.

Who was it?

Gwendolyn drew her attention to the other person, and was surprised to see Presley sitting next to her. Did she know how to be sympathetic? No. Although her first reaction was to reply a ‘no’, the fifth year stopped herself. ‘And hello to you too, Presley’, the Ravenclaw said, at first ignoring her Housemate’s question. ‘Isn’t it obvious?’, she finally gave some sort of an answer.

Mehh.

In the next moment, she drew her attention away from Presley and back to the firstie, then to her book. Guess her reading time was over. Nice. Gwen just memorized the number of the page she had just started reading before she was interrupted.

After practising the Vanishing Spell on pears and then snails for a while in the fruit orchard, Ariadne felt tired and wanted to return to the Gryffindor Tower, to chat with her housemates. But she needn't go that far. One of them was right there, in the courtyard!

Smiling, the fifteen-year-old approached her younger housemate and spoke softly so as not to startle her, seeing as she was so immersed in her book. 'Looks like an interesting read if it got you so absorbed.' the girl commented. 'Sarah, was it?' Ari wasn't all that good with names, so it was always worth checking.

'I rarely find the time these days to read something for pleasure. There's always so much to do for school, especially with the OWLs coming up. But I used to read a lot of History books in my earlier years.' Ariadne remembered fondly.

Then she realized most people wanted to be left alone when they were reading. 'Oh, sorry! Just tell me if you want me to go, you don't have to listen to my blabber.' But of course she would rather go on than go away.

Gwen and Serenity!
 

That was a no then. Of course not. This was Gwendolyn Greene she was talking to. "Fine, sorry for asking." She almost gave a half smile. Then returned to the point. "I need you to pretend to be sympathetic for less than ten minutes, okay?" That surely wasn't asking too much. Pretending was easy, right?

Then Presley noticed the little bugger sitting next to her housemate. Probably a firstie. "Hello," Presley have a short nod to the kid, not bothering to introduce herself. She wasn't in the mood.

Tag shrugged his shoulders at the napping part of their conversation. "You were resting your eyes, then." He said finally giving into her side of the argument.

Hopefully it wouldn't hurt if he tripped and fell. His head was too precious, his hair to breathtaking and his eyes too striking for his pretty little head and face to get injured. "So I'll hit the ground-if I fall-but my head will basically bounce off of it because of the costume's head?" Tag asked just to be secure. Then he frowned when he realized his perfectly styled spiked hair would end up being smushed and flat by the end of this party. Oh well-he got to scare people, there's the positive in that. I guess I can handle the heat.

Tag nodded with great excitement and gestured for Melanie to help him. First he took the body of the costume and slipped it over him. At first he was tripping on his feet and adjusting his arms and legs. Then he put his big fluffy arms out and clapped them together. "The head now." He asked of her. Because with these paws that'd be impossible.

Edric liked to spend most of his time outdoors. Honestly, he couldn't stay inside the common room for very long; it was bad enough that he had to see his classmates in class, he didn't want to see them in the common room and dormitories too. Ever the asocial boy.

Outdoors was nice, though. Less crowded.
Edric was just finishing off some notes on his homework, which he had laid out on his lap, when a girl suddenly appeared, sitting down on the next bench beside the boy's. Normally Edric wouldn't have paid any attention, but he couldn't help noticing the way she was just soaking up all the sun like it was a warm shower on a winter day or something.

Of course, he couldn't help but intrude unconventionally.
"First time seeing the sun?"
Maybe she'd just arrived on Earth from a sun-less planet.

Amelia turned her head to look at the boy who'd intruded on her sun soaking time with his strange comment. He was weird, she decided before turning her whole body to look at him.

"It is," she assured him seriously. "I've been stuck down in a dungeon," which was at least true. What with her being a Slytherin and all. And she hadn't been out in the sun for a long time so she wasn't even tanned anymore. That would need to change.

"You, however appear to be very familiar with this strange light," she observed, giving the boy a slight smile. It was good to appear friendly when meeting new people. Even if they were strange.

Edric raised an eyebrow as the girl very seriously informed him that it was, indeed, her first time seeing the sun. However, her next comment about a dungeon told him everything he needed to know. She was a Slytherin. Ah.

The Gryffindor listened as she went on, pointing out that he seemed familiar with the 'light'. "Oh, yeah. I only see it for about twelve hours a day, every day," he responded, playing along. No, but seriously. He loved the sun, even if his favourite season wasn't necessarily summer. It was weird; you'd think a grouch like Edric would prefer thunderstorms and hurricanes.

"I'm Edric, by the way," added the boy. He wasn't usually this friendly, but he was making an effort. It was his last year at Hogwarts and he couldn't graduate with his only friend being the thirteen-year-old he babysat.

Amelia smirked slightly at the boys comment about seeing the sun for twelve hours a day. He was strange, but he seemed interesting, she decided as she appraised him.

"Well, it's good that you get so much sun. I wish I could get out in it for that long," Amelia admitted, as she thought of just how much time she didn't get to spend outside. But that would change. It would.

"Amelia," she replied brightly. Might as well try to get more friends, even though she would be leaving after this year. "So Edric," and man wasn't that a strange name for a strange boy, "what year are you in?" she asked in an attempt to find out more about him, and to keep the conversation going.

Edric furrowed his brows slightly as the sun-soaking girl wished aloud that she could spend more time under the big ball of fire in the sky. "Why don't you?" Were Slytherins locked in the dungeons for most part of the day against their will? Who knew.

And then the girl introduced herself as Amelia. Edric gave a brief nod before his eyes wandered off to a nearby first year that was chasing after an owl. Apparently a new pet that wasn't yet used to its new owner. He returned his attention to Amelia as the girl asked about his year.

"Seventh," replied Edric simply. "Just a few more months 'til freedom. What about you?"

"Oh, I just spent most of the Summer looking after my little brother. He's allergic to grass so we didn't go outside too much," which Amelia had really hated. But she loved Harper, so she was willing to spend all her time inside if that's what it took. "That, and you know, there are these pesky things called classes," she added dryly, in answer to his question.

"Same here, and I cannot wait to have that freedom. And to never have to ride on that dangerous contraption they call a train ever again," she added, remembering that traumatic experience. She really, really hated trains. This really hadn't helped.

Edric's eyebrows raised slightly as Amelia explained that her little brother was allergic to grass. Whoa. Poor kid must've never spent much time outside, then. The Gryffindor's thoughts were distracted, though, as Amelia brought up classes.

"Oh, right. Those things," said Edric, as if they weren't two students who had to deal with classes on a daily basis. "Never saw much point to them." Honestly, he'd rather learn alone. He didn't understand why they had to be stuffed into a room like a bunch of sardines. He learned better in the company of no one, anyway.

And then it turned out that Amelia was a seventh year as well, also eager to be free again and never ride another train. Edric had almost forgotten all about that incident by now, though it had only happened about a week ago. "You're traumatized and that was your last train ride here. Imagine the anxiety first years will have to experience for the next six years," said the boy, almost looking amused. Which he kinda was. Edric was just evil like that; the idea of frightened and forever-traumatized firsties brought a crooked smile to his face.

"Not much point to classes? It's so that people can contribute, and so lesser beings can learn from people who have superior intellect. Obviously," she told him in a superior tone, her eyes dancing. Edric may have a point about some classes being useless. But then some classes were rather fun. Like Herbology and Flying. Although, for flying she just played Quidditch (hopefully she'd make the team this year and not just get to play as a reserve in their final match), which didn't involve any real rules. Well, none that meant the game wasn't dangerous and therefore exciting.

"Traumatized is a strong word. I never much liked the train before this year, obviously the debacle on the platform this year hasn't much improved my opinion on them. Plus, those poor ickle firsties will find plenty of things to traumatize them at Hogwarts over the next years. They'll soon forget about the train," she said flippantly, a smirk twisting her lips as she thought about just how traumatic an experience Hogwarts could be. Not that she wanted people to be traumatized. It was just amusing is all.

Just when she thought that things were getting better, and that the argument with the firstie was over, another person showed up. Presley. At first, Gwen thought that the other girl was simply passing by, but it turned out she was wrong. The other Ravenclaw started talking to her.

And Presley wanted her to be sympathetic, or at least pretend to be? Errr. ‘Now?’, the fifth year asked. She wasn’t good at pretending anything, but meehhh. Whatever. Her reading time was over, so she might as well accept to be part of this silly plan. ‘Anyway, fine’, the Ravenclaw agreed. She wasn’t sure what her Housemate was up to, but since it implied having to pretend she was sympathetic, the idea didn’t seem so great.

In the next moment, Gwendolyn closed the book, putting it to the side. Before drawing her attention back to the other Ravenclaw, the fifth year glimpsed one ore time at the cover of the book she had been reading a moment ago. Before people started interrupting her.Fine. She will have to leave Potions for later.

And now.

What did Presley want?

Melanie nodded her head as the little conversation about what Melanie had been doing was dropped. And she had apparently been right.

She listened as the boy spoke, fiddling with the bunny ears on the head. Ahhh... so fuzzy. "Uhm... I think it's the belly of the costume, really," Melanie said, nodding her head. Because she didn't recall hitting her head at all when she had toppled over. Then again... maybe it was the head. She hadn't paid much attention to the little details like that. All she remembered was falling but not getting hurt at all - no bruises no nothing. She nodded her head again and beamed as the boy got into the costume.

Adorable. Times ten. Or a hundred. Melanie wasn't sure.

"Be careful," Melanie said, giggling. It took a while to get used to the feeling, she supposed. Melanie knew she had been falling all over the place when she first got into the costume as well. The Gryffindor put the head carefully on the boy. "There you go!" Melanie beamed, lifting her camera. "You don't mind if I get a picture right?" she asked. Because she totally needed one to show people! It was just too cute!!

Hmm Clara was pretty name... Ariella continued to pet the cat who seemed to be enjoying the fingers that lightly scratched her back. "No you didn't interrupt me, I really wasn't doing anything important...just sketching," Ariella said showing the girl half of the fountain that was in her sketch book, "Just...resting I guess, lot has happened recently..." Which was ture, especially for a first year like Ari.

Saz :3
 

WOW. This had been a very long day for Bliss and she needed to seriously de-stress. All the drama with Terry was too much for her and she needed to get away from it. She honestly couldn't believe some of the things she'd said. Yes, they were true, but she never normally admitted things like that. She normally just keep things to herself. She shook her head, see, that's why she shouldn't be allowed near people. It stressed her out. That's why she'd decided to go for a walk and where she'd ended up was the courtyard. It was strangely peaceful, Bliss thought as looked around. Strange.

Arabella-Marie was walking through the courtyard pretty quickly when she ran into somebody and tripped up over them and fell onto the ground trying to see who it was and said "Oops sorry Bliss i didn't see you there"

As Bliss was stood, looking at the sky, something, most likely someone, ran into her and fell down on her backside. "Oww," she muttered under her breath and sat up, looking around to see who had ran into her. "Arabella!" She said, smiling. Arabella didn't seem hurt or anything, which was good. "It's no problem," Bliss said and nodded reassuringly. Admittedly she was probably going to have a bruise now, but that didn't matter too much.

Arabella-Marie laughed and said "Thanks Bliss i am sometimes really clumsy and do not look at where i am walking"

Arabella didn't seem that clumsy, thought Bliss didn't of course know if Arabella often walked into people, but compared to her, she wasn't clumsy. Bliss had walked into at least three people during the summer, at Diagon Alley. Plus she'd broken her wrist, though that technically didn't have anything to do with clumsiness. "No problem, I think we're all like that sometimes," Bliss assured the girl and smile. Most people did walked into people, or maybe that was just her. Maybe.

Arabella-Marie grinned and said "Yeah i guess we are i am just embrassed to be doing it so soon into term"

Bliss returned Arabella's grin instantly. If she thought about it, it was actually quite far into the term already, time was going so quickly! It was very scary for her. She'd turned thirteen not long a go. Although, the reality of that thought was that Bliss was doing quite well on the clumsiness front. Quite well indeed, she thought with a smile. "It doesn't matter, accidents happen," Bliss said with a shrug and gave Arabella a grin, realising that right now, Bliss felt a lot older than just thirteen. It was unnerving.

Arabella-Marie smiled and said "That is true and what do you think about the incident on the train"

As soon as Arabella mentioned the train incident, Bliss' smile turned into a frown. From both her First and Second Year, this was by far the worst memory so far, something that she wished hadn't happened at all. She remembered it clearly though. The lights flickering on and off. The train slowly. Then the train stopping, throwing everything all over the place and throwing Bliss into a window, causing her to break her wrist. Bliss winced at the memory, it wasn't something she'd want to relive.

Bliss shook her head free of any bad thoughts and looked at Arabella, "I thought it was horrible! And so scary," she said biting her lip. Normally she wouldn't admit to being scared about anything. "I broke my wrist you know," she told the Seventh Year and grimaced, thinking about how sometimes it still hurt. "What do you think could have caused the train to stop?" She asked Arabella, curious to hear her thoughts on it.

Arabella-Marie shrugged and said "I have got no idea what could have caused the train to stop but it was not nice travelling by portkey, i fell awkwardly onto my wrist and i think it is broken not had time to see the healer yet and i also banged my head off of something when the train stopped so suddenly"

As soon as Gwen agreed to pretend to be sympathetic, Presley launched into the whole thing, hoping that the little bugger hanging out with Gwen either didn't care, or wasn't listening. "You know that last year my father forced me to go to Beauxbatons Academy? Well I got into a huge fight about it, and ran away. I went to my brothers house, and he told me to grow up, but my father won't let me back until I apologize, which I'm not going to do. He cut off all of my funds, including dance lessons (which you know I can't live without). And Leo is getting married, so I won't even be able to beg him, because he has a fiance! So I had to spend the whole summer with my muggle aunt and her three bratty kids, and now Elliot is mad at me, and I'm going to despise the astronomy professor this term, and I still can't manage non-verbal spells!"

She gave Gwen the shortest version of her troubles, because she knew the other girl didn't want to listen to her complain, and was only doing it as a favor to Presley. "Okay, be sympathetic for me?" She asked. There. Short sweet, to the point, now go for it. At least it might give her a smile to watch Gwen try to be sympathetic.

Bliss didn't understand how Arabella could be so laid back about this. She just stood there and gaped at her. The train had stopped for some reason and if someone would just tell her that it, urm, broke down or malfunctioned then maybe she'd sleep a little sounded. But nobody knew and that was what puzzled and worried Bliss. What if something evil had stopped the train. What if bad things were going to happen at Hogwarts. Bliss gulped and tried to calm down and look at Arabella.

"Ouch, that doesn't sound nice, and you should really get your wrist checked out," Bliss said and winced as she was reminded about her own injuries. "Despite the fact I fell down, I don't really mind travelling by portkey. I thought it was an interesting way to travel," Bliss admitted and smiled. She was just strange like that. "Ouch," Bliss commented and gave Arabella a sympathetic look. That had happened to Arabella sounded very similar to what happened to Bliss.

Arabella-Marie nodded and said "Yeah i am going to get it checked out soon and i prefer travelling by other methods but really in the time of need a portkey will have to do"

Bliss thought about this. She thought Floo Powder was the best, because it got you where you want to go, quickly. But Portkey was great too and she was sure that she'd like it more when she could stay on her feet when she landed. Though, she swore that she almost stayed stood up last time. Honestly. Back to Arabella. "That's good," she said and nodded. She didn't want the girl to be in any unnecessary pain. "I agree," she said and nodded again.

Clara was pleased at the attention. She stayed right where she was and purred loudly. Taryn rolled her eyes and laughed. WHAT an attention hog her cat was. Really. She was adorable though, so she'd keep her.

"That looks like it will turn out nice." She smiled, glancing at the sketch book. "I, however, can not even draw stick people correctly." Or was there no 'correct' way to do anything when it came to art? It was all up to interpretation or something, right?

Well, she didn't know. She was no artist.

"Hogwarts can be a little overwhelming at first, there's so much of it." And SO many other people which was definitely a new thing if the girl had happened to be homeschooled before she'd come here, like Taryn had.

Maxwell walked into the courtyard and took a seat on a bench. He opened up a book, his favorite actually. 'Peter Pan' by J.M Barrie. As he opened the book a picture fell out...of he and Minvera in New York City from that christmas...

He picked the the photograph and watched as they smiled and held each other tightly...he missed her, seeing himself so happy and wrapped up in her still hurt...but he wouldn't admit it not to many people.

Damon walked up and gave a kind smile until he saw the rather sad look, "Hey Maxwell," He stood in front of him, actually having his red hair and everything still, despite his depression of missing Taylor.

Maxwell looked up and tried to smile. "Hey, Damon...what's up?" He asked closing the photo back into the book and swallowing his feelings for now. He missed Min dearly but there wasn't much he could do to get her back now.

"Nothing really honestly... Trying to forget the stress I've had the past few weeks..." Damon sighed, "And with yourself?"

"Oh, Just trying to get over the perfect girl for me no big deal.." He said sarcastically. He pulled the picture out of the book. "I just wish there was some way i could get her back.." He said with a sigh.

Damon nodded, "Believe me, I can relate..." He sighed, thinking about Taylor.

Maxwell sighed. "Yeah well at least she's here...you could get her back...I have no chance with Min, she's in America...it's a shot in the dark." He said knowing it was the truth, he didn't know he'd ever see her again.

"No... That's not possible for us, she pretty much admitted she has no interest in me as anything other than her lap dog pretty much while she ran around with someone else," Damon sighed.

"Damon you've known her as long as i have, does that really sound like Taylor? think about it...I think that Brodie character has been poisoning her with these sweets he's been sending her...I asked her to stop eating them, just wait and see if she's normal first.." He said thinking about how if it were he and Min how he'd fight for her tooth and nail. "Don't throw what you have away Damon.." He said almost as if it where a warning.

Damon sighed, "So it isn't just flowers, that's even better." Damon ran a hand through his hair, "I've tried... I have been fighting with her on it since the day we got back... And I honestly have been going bloody mad with how she's been acting." He looked at him, "You can't be to surprised that I'm actually somewhat upset."

Maxwell nodded. "I told you he was bad news, didn't i?" He said knowing no one believed him. "So that's it you're just giving up?" He asked looking at Damon like he was dumb. "I'm not surprised you're upset. I'm surprised you're letting that be enough to cause you to fail...if you love her than fight for her, she needs you right now...don't abandon her."

Damon sighed, "Gotta know when to let go sometimes..." He couldn't think of what else to really do or say, "And Lord knows I don't want to..." He shook his head, his eyes going brown again, "I love her more than anyone... But it's clear she no longer feels that way for me."

Taylor came up to her brother and ex-boyfriends when Damon said that he still loved her but she didnt him. She sighed, "I still love you Damon but you dont believe me!" Tay frowned and went close to Maxwell.

Maxwell looked at Damon. "Knowing when to let go is just a fancy way to say you gave up..." He said and looked up as Taylor walked over. "Tay, did you stop eating those snacks?" He asked hoping maybe she was her normal self again.

Damon grimaced hearing her voice, "You make that hard to believe with how you've been acting," He said plainly. He forced himself to look at her, "Acting like you actually cared when you only wanted to know to impress someone else."

Tay nodded at what Maxwell asked, "Yeah, I have." She glanced at Damon and frowned, "I wasnt myself, Damon!" Taylor was trying hard not to cry as she turn into Maxwell and buried her head in his chest.

"Damon, she was being poisoned and controlled. It wasn't her fault you have to see that.." He said holding his sister. "Otherwise why would she be fighting for you and not using you again?" He asked hoping Damon would see reason.

|Jacob Keller|
 

Elektra walked through the courtyard taking in the sights of it. It was always something beautiful to look at in her opinion. The sixth year sat down on one of the benches as she sat towards the front of the bench and placed her hands on the bench leaning forward a bit ad whistled a soft little tune she made up out of nowhere and quickly got bored. Shethen stood up and walked towards the Wishing Fountain just staring at it and then sighs as she looks like she was making a wish for something. When you think about it it is kind of funny to see Elektra Draven out of all people, making a silly little wish.

Damon looked at the two of them, indecision clearly showing. He had no reason that he should trust anything Taylor said, but he wanted to, and the way she was acting seemed more like things she would actually do. Unlike the other times she was trying to hide how hurt she was, that was his main hint, "I..." He sighed as his gothic self came back again, his calmness gone, confusion getting the better of him, "Taylor... I'm sorry." He looked at her, but didn't move, not knowing how he'd react.

Taylor looked up at Maxwell as he held her then reburied her head in his chest. She heard what Damon said and glanced at him, still holding onto Maxwell as she shook. "How can I show that it is me, Damon?" Hurt shone in her eyes as she clinged to her brother.

Damon looked at her, "The way you act is how I can tell." He looked at her, walking over and laying a hand on her back.

Maxwell looked between the two of them. "Damon...what are you unsure about...I mean i'd understand if it was just Tay...i mean she's been off toward you lately but you think i'm crazy too, she seems normaly you have to admit that....if she agrees not to take anything else from Brodie will you give her a chance?" he asked.

Taylor flinched away from his hand and clung to her brother more. She glanced from Maxwell to Damon then back to Maxwell. She had tears in her eyes as she tried to not be hurt. Tay looked again to Damon, "Please, Damon... I love you." Taylor let out a small whimper, "I miss you. Please believe me."

Damon moved his hand as she flinched, "Taylor I... I love you too," He looked down at her, wanting to hold her but knew she'd push him away. He felt like an idiot for doubting her, "I'm sorry..."

Maxwell sighed, thinking Damon was being stupid. "You're just giving up? Like that? How can you say you love her? She needs you and you're just walking away....you're a coward." He said in anger.

Tay glanced at Damon, "How can you if you dont believe me?" She looked up at her brother as he spoke with anger and called Damon a coward. Taylor stroked his cheek, "Max, I dont blame him... I deserve it..." Tay sighed and looked down.

Damon looked at Maxwell, then Taylor, "Mon amour..." He hated to be the one to pull her away, but he gently wrapped his arms around her pulling her close, "I've been an idiot," He looked down at her, "I've been impatient... And yes, I've been hurt. But the thing that kills me even more is that you think I don't forgive you. I truly do love you, and nothing's going to change that... I just hope you can forgive me for my foolishness."

Maxwell went back to reading his book. Their back and forth was starting to get a little dull. He always knew it would end the same way, Damon calling him an idiot, Taylor saying that she was the idiot, pet names in a language he didn't speak and then they were back together.

But again when he opened the book, the photo of he and Min in New York City fell from the book....seeing it still hurt but he picked it back up and tried to keep up the vacant look on his face. It was hard.

Tay yelped as Damon pulled her to him. She looked up at him and pushed him away, going to Maxwell again, "You will just go back to hating me." Taylor buried her head in Maxwell's shoulder then looked up at her brother, "What is wrong?"

Poem by Adam Woodage
 

Damon looked at her, "I could never hate you," He went over to her, but she seemed to make it clear that his part in this was finished, "I never wanted to say for you to leave me alone, and I was stupid..." He stepped back from the two of them and started away, not noticing as a poem slipped out of his pocket.

SPOILER!!: A Day Without You

I wake up in the mornings, shivering, cold and feeling blue,
Why do I do this? It must be a natural relief mechanism of missing you.
I think of giving you a call,
But then I realize its only quarter to four.

Sometimes when I get up I fall down,
I try to get up and get rid of my frown.
Sometimes when I’m on the floor,
God knows I wish you’d just knock on my door.

Not a day goes by without you on my mind,
How beautiful you are loving and kind.
I called a counselor spoke to him near on an hour,
It made me miss you and realize this is going to take all my power.

When I’m at work there is so much noise,
But somehow I imagine you doing some poise.
Often people come up to me and ask what’s wrong?
I say nothing so they’ll hurry up and be gone

I love you to the moon and back,
And let me guarantee you that is a fact.

Maxwell looked up at Taylor, tearing his eyes away from the picture of Min. "It's nothing...don't worry about it.." He said putting it back in the book.

Taylor glanced down, seeing the picture and gave him a half smile, "You will find her during winter break... I will help you if that makes you happier." Tay noticed the fallen poem by Damon. She read it, "I will be right back, Maxwell..." Taylor got up and jumped on Damon's back, to try to get him to stop.

Damon looked at her, seeing the paper in her hand, he sighed, knowing what it had to be, "You've still got enough courage to jump on my back?" He smirked at her, "I'm guessing you trust me enough not to flip you still."

Taylor looked at him and kissed his cheek. She stayed on his back, laying her head on his shoulder. "I get it from Maxwell." Tay clinged to her back and smirked a little, "Try to get me off without hurting me."

Damon chuckled, lowering one of his shoulder and using his arms to slide her to face him. He kissed her forehead lightly, "Easy," He smiled at her.

Tay smiled at him. She looked into his eyes, "I love you." Taylor kissed him lightly and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you too," He kissed her back and looked at down at her. His arms wrapping around her waist and spinning her, "I'm sorry, mon amour."

Tay threw back her head and giggled as he spun her around. Taylor looked at him and stroked his cheek, "Damon..."

Maxwell nodded. Not feeling much better. "Yeah...okay.." He said knowing he had to find her.

Taylor looked over at Maxwell, "I just hope you can get her back, Maxwell..." Tay gave him what she hoped was a sympathic smile.

Maxwell sighed. "Me too, i'm gonna try everything i can...i have to find her and i have to try...she has to at the least know how i feel..."

Tay smiled and nodded, "Yeah... you need to, she has to know..."