Tay sighed, "Well think but weboth might move on. Who knows." She looked away.

"I guess we will." He hugged her quickly, not wanting to push anything, "But I have to be going."

Tay sighed, "Yeah..." She hugged him back, but just barely. "Okay, talk to you later..."

"Talk to you later." He turned and started towards the castle.

Harlow continued to sit the warm water as it lapped up her stomach. She slipped the rest of her body up to her chin under the water. She didn't want to get her hair wet, but the rest of her body was getting cold as she sat there and it was only fair her upper body got what the lower body was getting. "I didn't say it was a bad name. Just a boy's name. My little sister's name is Cuba." she offered.

No reason to get touchy.

Harlow opened one eye and looked at the girl. "Are you sure about that?" She knew that the first rule of the Mafia was that you never talked about the Mafia. She opened both of her eyes when Elliot threw her suspicious glance. "I didn't know. That's why I asked. Its how you learn things you know." she pointed out to the girl.

O__o What a strange name. Elliot was nothing compared to Cuba. "Your sister's name's a country?" What, that was just plain ole' strange! Poor kid. She watched the girl...get lower into the water...don't drown! Elliot wanted to shout..because Elliot wasn't a skilled swimmer...at all.

She wouldn't be saving anyone anytime soon.

The blonde kicked her feet a bit, making the water splash just a bit...hehehe. She should take Maxwell here sometime. It was nice. But no swimming. maybe once the weather got...less cold. It was freezing...you think she'd be used to it, living in Scotland her whole life.

Was she sure?! This girl was odd. And intriguing. Elliot liked it. "No, I'm not sure...he's never actually told me, has he?" she said, raising an eyebrow...duh. That's why Elliot thought so. Because his job was so secret. There was no alternative! He had to be in a mafia or something. She scowled..."I know how learning works. I'm a Ravenclaw," she said, a bit snappishly. But nothing major.

THis girl could put Elliot's own sarcasm to shame. Pfffft!

Ooh, this seemed so nice and relaxing. Logan took his socks off almost falling into the water and then sat down beside her. Placing his feel in the water, he sighed happily and leaned back a little. He would have to come back here again another time, especially when OWLs started stressing him out. "This is totally amazing. How have you been, Ronnie?" Hopefully she was enjoying this Term as much as he was so far.

Harlow shrugged, "Its a family tradition with the names. My other sister's name is Persia and all of my dad's sisters are named after countries. Egypt, Kenya, India, Ireland, Irish, China, Nairobi, Zaire, Jordan, Africa, Asia, and then Tomasina. My cousin's name is Paris and her daughter's name is Israel. Then I have a cousin named Brazil. I think they are very beautiful names." she said pointedly to Elliot. Harlow may look like a push over but she didn't like people trying to make fun of her family and her baby sister Cuba was her heartbeat.

Harlow pushed herself back up to a sitting position before she free floated out into the middle of the spring. She would have to plait her hair up the next time she came out so she could submerge herself completely. "How should I know. I don't know your father. My dad works for the family and my mom works for my grandfather." This was rather strange. Did Elliot think Harlow knew her father. Maybe she would feel better knowing what Harlow's parents did. They were rather normal. Well not their bank accounts, but that was what working hard would get you. More gold than your whole family could spend.

Harlow looked at the girl, "Do Ravenclaw's own the paten on learning or something?" She really hated all those house stuff. As if Ravenclaws were the only smart ones at Hogwarts or that all Slytherins were mean.

Elliot listened to her..explain. Family tradition? Hmm. That explained it. ANd made it bit less weird for Elliot. She could understand family tradition. "I see. That's very intriguing..." Maybe Elliot would name her child after a country...a really cool one...nah! She was naming her children NOTHING because she wasn't EVER having any! Hmph! "I mean..maybe my father started a tradition or something..my sister's names are Dani and Sam. We all have boy's names.." Elliot's being the BEST one, by far!

"My father does family business, too." Nodnodnod. HE did. Apparently. Though she wasn't...exactly sure. And she didn't know this girl's last name...she sounded pureblood. "What's your last name?" she asked curiously...because this could change her feelings about the girl. Yaaaah!

phaaa! She chuckled a bit...her blue eyes following Harlow..."No. We don't. There a few from each house that are brilliant..." Merlin, Elliot couldn't believe she was saying thaaat! "And there even some Ravenclaws that are...a bit...daft." Yeah. BUt Elliot wasn't. She was mainly thinking of her stupid head girl...merlin, she was...a bit thick, wasn't she? Meh.

Ronnie grinned, nodding in agreement. "It sure is." she said with a sigh, looking at the hot spring and then to Logan as he spoke. "I've been pretty good." she said. "You?" she asked. Lately, she had been pretty mad though. Almost all her friends who were fourth years were getting into lots of problems and 'drama' and such. She was sick of seeing her friends in tears, it really bugged her. She didn't understand why some of them just stopped with the relationships for once. It seemed like they never did. They'd go out with one person, break up, then go out with the next. Merlin, they were just...mad.

Harlow nodded, "I think so. My mom wanted to name me Holland, but my dad hated that name. So I got Harlow instead and I like it a lot better." Her little button nose crinkled when she thought about having to go through life being named Holland. That would have sucked on multiply levels. "Boys names can be really pretty for girls." Dani seemed like a nice name for a girl to have. Harlow liked special names not names that just blended into the background and none of her familiy's names did that.

Harlow looked at the girl fully. Any time someone asked for a last name they were usually trying to find out your blood status. Harlow just didn't believe in any of that like her grandmother did. "My last name is Riddle. Harlow Riddle, and yes I am a pureblood thank you very much." Not that Harlow cared if she were a muggleborn or half and half. She just wasn't raised like that. "Not that any of that stuff matters to me. I went to a muggle primary school before I got my Hogwarts letter and my older brother Omari goes to a muggle high school in the United States." Just in case the girl was going to make a comment.

She raised an eyebrow, "A few huh. Well gee thanks for that bone." She closed her eyes and went back to concentrating on her relaxing hot springs dip. She wasn't sure what else needed to be said to Elliot. She seemed to be the sort of person that believed in stereotypes and Harlow hated stereotypes. They were so mean.

Elliot quite agreed. "Harlow is prettier." And somehow seemed to suit the other girl more. Eh. It was weird, how certain names fit people. It was almost a rule...your name should probably fit you. "You don't look like a Holland, much." Though what a Holland DID look like...Elliot didn't even know.

The blonde raised an eyebrow..."What's wrong with asking a last name? MErlin." No need to get snappy...even though Elliot HAD been trying to figure that out..hehehe. But she wouldn't say this aloud. MUGGLE SCHOOL?! Elliot's eyes widened. "Really? How did you like it?" Elliot had been home schooled...with private tutors. Mean private tutors, sometimes. But it was better than swimming around with muggles!

He! She was annoying her. Maybe. Elliot smirked. She wriggled her toes a little in the water....and Harlow went under water. Seriously, the girl needed to NOT do that...it made Elliot anxious...don't drown!

Logan nodded, feeling happy that he had found Ronnie again. He didn't like that he hadn't seen her much so far. Hopefully that would change soon!

"I've been good. I really like this school so far. And I haven't gotten into trouble yet." Which made him rather happy honestly. He looked out to the water curiously and then stared at his feet. "So are you going home for Christmas?" he asked her curiously.

Ronnie laughed. "Well, that's good!" she said. She used to be a real troublemaker in her first and second year, but afterwards she didn't really get into trouble as much.

She nodded at his question. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I am." she said. "What about you?" she asked. It'd be a bit weird this year. It'd be the first Christmas with her new family...she was sure she'd have a blast, though. It'd just be a bit odd without her old family, even though she never really liked them that much. It'd still be weird.

She nodded at the girl. "Thank you. I'm rather attached to my name." Harlow smiled. She loved her name to be honest. "Oh I agree with that. I'm not sure what a Holland would look like but I'm glad its not my name. Though I fear my mom might try to saddle the next kid with that name." Harlow came from a big family that was even bigger so she was sure her mother was going to have another baby.

Harlow raised an eyebrow at the girl. "Its the purpose of the question." She pointed out. Harlow wasn't stupid. No wizard asked for a last name if they weren't trying to get someone's blood status. "I liked it a lot. I made a lot of friends and learned new things. How muggles explain away magic. I didn't like not being able to use my wand and my parents had to make excuses for the times my magic got away from me. But I really had a lot of fun." As much fun as it was she felt like she was missing a part of herself without her wand. Harlow was a witch through and through.

She climbed up out of the water. Her skin was already nice and pruney and that was a good sign. She wrapped herself up in a terry cloth towel and sat down on the ledge. "So what brought you out here?" she asked as she continued to dry herself off.

Elliot nodded, shivering a bit as a gust of wind blew past...OKAY then! She kicked her feet back and forth, in the water, and wished she was a better swimmer. Because she really wanted to get in now..meeehhh.

Her eyes met Harlow's, and she nodded. "I like mine...and I don't really like being called by a nickname, either. " That privilege rested with, like, only three people in her life. And two of them were her sisters.

She raised her eyebrows..next kid? Merlin! "How many kids did you say your mother has?!" Elliot thought HER family was big...with she only having three siblings! Guess not...Harlow seemed to have a LOT of siblings...hmm?

Oh. Hehe. Riiight. Elliot merely rolled her eyes. "Well, I wanted to know." Is that a problem, hmmm?! No. Elliot had a right to ask anything she wanted ! And if that was supposed to convince Elliot that muggle schools were fun..it didn't. "I was homeschooled." Yeah. It wasn't like she never had fun, either...invited friends over..and the trouble she and her sisters had gotten into as kids was...well, memorable to say the least.

She eyed her as she got out, her blue eyes widened..."How are you NOT frozen?!" yeah, please enlighten us! "Here? I don't know...I just needed to..clear my head." Which seemed to be happening...quite nicely.

History helped with every subject? Eh. "Doesn't make it any more interesting," she replied with a shrug. "I'd rather get more help with the practical stuff than theory anyway." Since practical was always the part she struggled with, especially with spells. And that was something she really didn't like.

And Penelope nodded because yes, she did know. She hadn't known the exact number off the top of her head, but she did know he'd scored a lot. She DID remember the school broom thing though, and how he'd broken it. She kinda thought that was cool, breaking a broom, even if it had been because his team had lost and even if Vindictus had freaked over it. "Have you got your own broom now?" And yeah, she agreed with that too, scoring goals was more fun than blocking them. Keeper was just...not as fun since you couldn't fly around. But that was also why she liked the Seeker position. There was lots more flying for that one.

Maxwell sat on a rock in the hot springs...He was waiting for Minerva, to say he was sorry and work things out. He was just angry with her all this time, but he wanted to at least try and be friends...maybe it could work?

Minerva pulled her gloves on and her scarf tighter as she walked. It was so cold and she had just spent hours out in the stands. She was surprised to get the message to meet Maxwell, maybe that's why she decided to come, curiosity killed the cat Min..she thought to herself, but as she walked she saw that he was alone. At least that was a plus, she had the urge to turn and head the other way. What if this was a trick and Elliot would be around the corner waiting to attack. They both were so mean to more then just her lately.

Her throat hurt, so she was sounding horse when she walked up to him. "Hello Maxwell. You wanted me to meet you?" yes she was trying to be nice, but she had many guards up against him after the other day. She pulled all her strength in just to stop herself from hitting him right there before he had a chance to talk.

Maxwell looked up to see Minerva. He stood up, hands in his pockets to keep them warm. "Hey, Min..look i wanted to speak with you. I'm sorry..I know i messed up the other day and i've been messing up for a while but i wanna try and be friends again...I don't have many of them left. I just got angry and i know that's not an excuse, but i wanna make it up to you...i talked to Ethan....i don't know if i helped or not but i did mean well...i just wanted him to know how special you are and how he needs to be careful with you...I'm sorry if that was wrong...I'm sorry." He said with his head down, he was ashamed of how he acted and he knew were his mother alive she'd lecture him for hours about this.. and her lectures were the WORST!

Minerva looked shocked at Maxwell. Was he apologizing.. After everything that went down?? She wasn't sure how to feel. At first she wanted to laugh in his face and walk away, but then she saw the hurt in his face and knew he was being real with her. The first time the real Maxwell was showing since he began dating Elliot. It was nice to see and Min couldn't help but smile a small smile at him. "Why were you so hateful to me? Did you still have some feelings? What did I do that made you hate me so badly lately?" Minerva needed answers. She couldn't figure out why he hated her so bad. "You..you talked to Ethan." Oh great, now she knew things would never happen between them. She shook her head, "You didn't need to do that, you know. After today, I don't think I have to worry about him. I embarrassed myself pretty good." She shrugged and looked up at him.

Maxwell looked up seeing the small smile and felt a little hopeful. "I-I was hurt...i mean...i know you didn't mean to leave but you did and it was hard, then you just forgave Ariana and stayed angry with me...maybe that just made me angry and you know how bad my temper gets...and once i started dating Elliot you just seemed bitter all the time so i took my anger out on you, I know it wasn't right but i'm trying to make it better..." He sighed feeling like he messed things up even more for her. "I'm sorry...i just wanted him to know how great you were and if i messed anything up i'm sorry....You deserve to be happy." He was happy, she should be too.

Minerva looked at him, letting his words sink in. She frowned a bit, "I know me leaving over the summer wasn't easy, it wasn't for me either, but we can't change that. I made amends with Ariana faster, because well I wasn't dating her, I wasn't head over heals for her. I was for you and it just stung knowing you dated again, not only again, but with one of my best friends. I know she was yours first, but she is mine as well now." She looked away feeling a bit guilty, "Don't take the bitterness to personal I might have been showing that to everyone. I don't mind being single, don't get me wrong, but our group has been torn apart so bad I don't think it can come back together. Everyone seems to hate each other. Then you and Ariana find new people to date, both of which I can't stand and think you both can do better." yes she was throwing that in and didn't care.

"Then Taylor went away for awhile with her memory or whatever and I haven't seen her much. Damon is saying he is leaving the school and I don't see him often. Harvey is dating Ella, it's just been so much of a change this term. I'm meeting new people and I do like that fact, but it just seems like my radar for liking people is way off this term. I think I just need to give it up." Yes that was probably the best to do. Her crushes seemed to either like other people or just not be into her, it was time to just stop thinking about boys. "So yes I was bitter, but it wasn't as much because of you dating someone else, it was more that I wanted our group back and the fact that I just can't stand Elliot." She then gave a weak smile, "but if your happy then I'm happy for you, but trying to be nice to her, I just don't know if I can. I'm sorry Maxwell." she sighed, usually she would try but this girl was on a new level for Minerva.

Maxwell nodded. "I know, Min...I was angry and i blamed you but it wasn't your fault...." Then her next words hit him in the heart. 'Head over heals for him'...In his head he knew she was in love with him then, but his heart had forgotten how that felt...for someone to be truly in love with him...he was desperate for it....but he was with Elliot now, so he snapped out of it. "I guess i get that...and i regret the whole thing with Ariana...it was a mistake and i'm sorry..." He said still feeling bad. "I know there's no chance of us being what we were again...but we can try.." He said ignoring the statement about Elliot.


"Minnie...just because you said something wrong at a game doesn't mean you have to quit on being happy. You are one of the best, hard working, kindest people i know...if anyone deserves someone to make them happy it's you." He said with a small smile. She was his first love, some part of him would always feel that. "I am happy with her.." Kind of, he loved Elliot as hard as that might seem for others, he did. But he questioned her ability to love him back, or ever really be normal...the idea hurt him, some part of him felt like it couldn't last.

Minerva listened as he spoke and she shook her head, "No.. don't apologize anymore, it's over. We need to just move on." yes, she was ready to put things in the past. It was over and done with and she was tired of it always coming up. She knew he ignored the Elliot thing and that was fine with her. As long as he knew she wouldn't be around while Elliot was this could work.. maybe. "Yes I think trying to start a friendship again could be okay." Once all the hurt feelings were gone for what all happened lately Min could forgive. She had forgiven many people in the past so why couldn't she get over the stuff with Maxwell.

Minerva kicked the ground a bit, "It's not just the announcing. It's every guy I like seems to like someone else or they are a bit to old or out of my league." she blushed at the next part that he said. "Well Maxwell I don't know whether I'm all that, but thanks. It's nice to hear." she smiled a bit, she knew she wasn't living up to that this term, her focus was so off and she kept getting behind on everything. "Well I'm glad your happy. I just wish it was with someone who was a bit nicer." She sighed, "Sorry.. it's going to take awhile not to have rude comments.." she shrugged not know how he would feel with her comments.