After signing up for the Slytherin Quidditch Team down at the Pitch, Daichi decided to take a walk around the school grounds before going back to the castle. The weather was good, not great, anyways so why not take advantage of it? As he walked over the grass, he suddenly thought of how less time he had spend outside when he had been in his fifth year. Last year, the only time he would have been seen outside of the castle walls was when he had class , otherwise he was inside studying for his OWL exams. A small chuckle escaped as he thought back on how stressed out he had been.

Seeing a few leafy trees , the Slytherin remembered that this was the place the old duck pond stood when he had been younger. He still found it sad that the pond was gone but...what could he do against it?

He thought of Floppy, his very first real duck friend that he had made thanks to the handy Malin Calin charm but the more he thought about it the sadder he became. This place lacked cute ducks! Maybe he should go to the Groundskeeper and ask if he wanted to make one cause Daichi was missing the quacks of the ducks...

Just like the ones he heard right now O___o

The sixth year turned his head in the direction of the sound but shook his head when he thought he had imagined it. As he began to walk away he heard it again and this time, Daichi was sure that it wasn't just his wild imagination.

Not thinking for another second, Daichi pushed away the bushed in front of him to get to the source of the sound. As he made his way through, his mouth literally dropped open upon seeing the view.

Ducks...not just one but even more! were walking on the green grass at the other side of the pond. He had to rub his eyes and pinch his arm to see if he wasn't dreaming. The sharp pain and red mark on his arm that followed proved that he wasn't.

Forgetting about his Prefect badge for a moment, Daichi ran over the grass towards the other side. His arms outstretched as if he was going to hug someone and with tears of joy in his eyes. "DUCKIES~!" He shouted , effectively scaring the new ducks as they waddled away from him. "NOOOO COME BAAAACK! WE CAN BE FRIEEEENDS!!"

MERRY. BERRY. CHERRY. Bliss' never ending happy thoughts were completely insane a little stranger, but nevertheless, they kept her happy and very entertained. With good reason! It was her birthday after all, she deserved to be happy right? RIGHT. Even if it were only happy thoughts keeping her going, it was plenty enough for the...fourteen-year-old.

Bliss skipped around the duck pond once, a loaf of bread swinging from her hand. This would be FUN. She'd be happy and the ducks would be happy. Everyone wins basically. GIGGLE. After she reached the edge of the pond, she sat down with her legs crossed. She put down the bread for a second, so that she could fix her Polar Bear hat. THATSHELOVED. Done. She picked up the bread again and ripped a slice into pieces and threw it in the general direction of the ducks.

HEEEEERE DUCKY DUCKY DUCKS! ^______^

Christmas was exploring the grounds and came across a duck pond interesting and bumped into the slytherin guy prefect and said "Oops sorry wasn't paying attention to where i was walking"

Laura was walking around when she suddenly spotted a duck pond it had been really weird for a couple of minutes she just stood there, she was glad that the duck pond was back and she hoped that everything would be really good, she looked around and saw all the ducks and then she saw.

"CUZ!!!!!!!!" Laura ran up-to her cousin and smiled. "I've missed you Cuz!" Laura hugged Bliss. "I'm sorry I haven't been around much, I've been really upset I got in a fight with my family over the summer and I then just hid in my room most of the time." Laura sighed. "What you been doing?"

All the pretty duck were now eating the bread that Bliss threw towards them. NOM. NOM. Then, before she knew it, half of the loaf of bread was gone. Wow, the ducks must be hungry. That or she'd thrown it all and it had sunk to the bottom of the pond, but that seemed like a waste. Bliss was SURE that ducks weren't wasteful creatures and would have gobbled it all up. Yeah? Of course they would have. GIGGLE. #BlissLogic

Just as Bliss was about to throw yet more bread to the awaiting ducks, she was distracted by a voice. A voice that was shouting quite loudly and sounded a lot like..."LAURAAA!" Bliss cried, jumping up, just as her cousin reached her. "I've missed you too, Lo! Er, you don't mind me calling you Lo, do you?" Bliss giggling and bit her lip. "It's just a nickname that I came up with," she explained and beamed at one of her favourite cousins in the world.

HUUUUG. Bliss squeezed her cousin gently and looked up at her with wide eyes as she spoke. BLINK. Say what...? "Er, Lo...what fight? What happened?" Bliss asked, momentarily speechless. From what Bliss could tell, Laura's family hardly ever fought, they always seemed so nice. Something MUST be up and you know, seen as it was her family too, she had a right to know. Riiiiiiiiight? ANYWAAAY. Bliss hugged her cousin again, tightly. "It's alright now though..." she comforted her and smiled softly.

Laura giggled, "No of course I don't mind being called Lo." Laura actually thought that name was funny, she smiled at her cousin. "I've missed you way more though, I really could have used you this summer but with one thing and another, I forgot to write to you and when I did I was that much in a muddle I don't know if I sent the letter to you or not." Laura sighed.

"Well it's a long story but I'll give you the basics." Laura sighed, it was only right that Bliss knew. "At the minute my parents hate me." Laura hadn't wanted to stay at home after confessing to her parents but she had too, since she hadn't spoken to Mick since. "I eh well I eh kissed this boy on the lips in the summer." Laura smiled, it was awesome news. "Well my parents didn't like the idea of me kissing guys, even though I'm nearly 15 and I told them I can do what I like and we all sort of got into an argument." Laura really didn't want to continue, she could stop there right?

When he was chasing the ducks and kept shouting that he wanted to be friends, he collided with someone. The Slytherin yelped and fell on the grass. He looked up from the ground at a young girl. "That's the second time you bumped against me..." he said , not angry at all and even chuckled. He got up from the ground and brushed the sand and grass from his pants. "are you okay? Eeh What's your name again?"

Christmas got up from the ground and smiled at the prefect and said "My name is Christmas and i am sorry i was lost in a world of my own"

Harvey couldnt believe his eyes, one of the places that had gone was now back.. the duck pond. He stood there watching the ducks for a while but he wasnt really watching them he was thinking. He had watched Ella improve her mood as time went on, but he always wondered if that was a front or if she was actually doing well. It was then that he suddenly decided to watch the ducks, but in his mind popped a memory that he thought he had long forgotten. Him and Ella as best friends.. watching the ducks fighting over the pieces of bread that they were chucking out to them. Those were the good times as friends and he was hoping there would be more of them soon.

Ella had been wandering the grounds a lot since she'd been back at Hogwarts. Not that she minded really, it was beautiful out and she wanted to enjoy the nice weather while it was here. Plus, rumor had it that the duck pond was back and the blonde was quite excited about this. It was...well one of her favorite places and she'd been quite upset when it wasn't there last term.

Walking up to the edge of the pond, the fifteen year old took a deep breath and smiled. This was nice...being back here. "Hello duckies!" She said happily, taking a seat.

As her eyes took in the rest of her surroundings, Ella noted that she wasn't the only one here. BLINK. Harvey was like...right over there. She bit her lip nervously and debated going over because things had been...well weird between them, yeah? It was awkward and not the good kind, the kind that sort of hurt. She couldn't avoid him forever though could she? Besides, she really did miss him.

Standing again, the badger made her way over to her ex boyfriend and stood a few feet away, shuffling her feet. "Erm I...h-hey Harvs."

He was watching the ducks as well as thinking of her and remembering their times together, he often wondered if she missed him as much as he missed her. He looked around but he didnt see her around, she was probably off hanging out with her friends and stuff. He wasnt complaining though cause that was good that meant that she was around people and not preferring to be alone one some days like he did. He looked across the duck pond at the rest of the grounds as he thought some more about her and hoping she was good, when he heard her voice. No.. that.. that couldnt be her! he was just hearing things right? she wasnt there! But just to humor himself he turned around anyways, and he was surprised.. she was actually there.. a few feet away sure.. but still there. He was speechless for a moment or two before he found his voice "H..hey Ella.. how are y..you?" he asked, he would have asked what she was doing there but he knew what she was doing there. This was one of her favourite places, he knew that and he had kind of come here for that reason.. kinda! he just wanted to see the place again mainly. He just hadnt expected her to turn up the way she had, she still looked the same.. just a little.. hesitant to talk to him again but otherwise she was the same.

He looked really surprised to see her which kind of made her wonder if he wanted her around or not. Merlin, this was going to be weird. They really did need to talk though, yeah? Because...well they'd be seeing each other around all the time and she didn't want things to be like they were now. She wanted them to eventually be able to be good friends again. The blonde just wondered if something like that was even possible.

Oh...that was a loaded question. Ella shrugged before sitting down and turning her attention to the older boy. "I've been okay, better than summer. I...how have you been?" And she wanted an honest answer, not this whole 'I'm fine' thing they'd been doing with everyone else. They knew each other well enough to know that was all rubbish. "I'm actually um...really glad I ran into you here." She added after a minute or two, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think...it's good we talk."

He just looked at her and knew instantly that this was different, quite different between them now. As much as he didnt like this he knew that it would take some time before they were ok with each other again, but he didnt mind.. cause it was.. Ella. He smiled as she said that she was better than summer, well that made him feel better. "Thats good that you have been" how had he been? "I too am better than I was before..." well that was good it meant they were both slowly moving on, that was a relief of some kind. "You being honest.. right?" she wasnt just saying that cause she didnt want to worry him right?.. cause he wanted to make sure that she was really.. genuinely ok. She was glad that she ran into him? "Umm.. I guess Im.. glad too" cause he was hoping they would but he didnt bet on it, her special move with that hair of hers.. friends.. friends.. only friends.. nothing more! "Talk... about what?" he wondered what she wanted to talk about, lots of things went through his mind.. many of them not so good and.. that kind of frightened him.. cause he didnt want to hear that they needed to keep their distance from each other.. cause thats what she was going to say.. right?.. no? then what did she want to talk about?

Seeing him smile, it made Ella smile a little too. She wanted him to smile, wanted to know he was okay without her. Then she wouldn't feel so sad, yeah? ...Frown. That was kind of selfish, wasn't it? "I'm glad you are." Honestly. Without even thinking the blonde held out her pinky to the boy, staring at him seriously. "Promise I'm telling the truth." He knew how she was with pinky promises so he'd believe her, yeah? "Are you?" Because she'd been wondering about that too, honestly. Ells couldn't help but frown a little at the 'I guess' bit. She quickly returned to a neutral expression, not wanting to make things any more awkward than they already were. "Harvey I've...missed you." There, was that honest enough for him? "And I don't want to avoid you so I just think...we need to work on erm...this." And she gestured between them, wondering if he understood what she meant.

He smiled knowing that she was glad that he was ok, cause that meant that they still cared about each other even though.. things happened over the summer. He looked at her pinky and then back at her as she said she promised she was telling the truth, he then looked back at her pinky and locked his with hers, he nodded "I am... I dont lie" she remembered that promise between them right? cause even as friends that promise still stood. He was not expecting to hear what she said next but what she said made his heart flutter a little that he mentally beat himself up for.. he couldnt do that anymore "I.. I have missed you too" there he was being honest with her again, cause truth was.. he had missed her like crazy but he surpressed all of that when with people cause he didnt want anyone to know just how much he had missed her. She didnt want to avoid him? that was great! just the kind of thing he wanted to hear "I.. I erm.. was hoping you would say something like that" he looked at as she gestured at them, he nodded "Yeah.. I think so too." he looked at her "We can do it.. its possible" cause they had been friends before.. they were just now going back to it.. thats all it was.. nothing else.

Had he forgotten how to do a pinky promise? Or maybe...he didn't want to touch her? That was...understandable, actually. Ella was about to pull her hand back when she felt his finger wrapped around hers. Good. This was really good. Ella smiled a little and nodded. "I know." Though the whole trust thing, well it was going to take some time. She bit her lip when he told her he missed her too, feeling a mix of emotions. She was glad that he did though she didn't want him to think things...could just go right back to where they were before. Right now that wasn't possible. Ella's feelings had changed...she was trying to move on, even if that was really hard. "You...you were?" Well this was going well, them being on the same page and everything. Ella wasn't sure they were going to be so she felt quite relieved. "So um...how exactly do we...erm go back to being friends?" The blonde was really hoping Harvey had some ideas because as much as she wanted it to happen, she didn't know how to transition into that kind of relationship again. She supposed them talking was a good start, though.

He smiled and nodded too, cause he hadnt forgotten that promise they had made together. He knew that hadnt too but he just wanted her to know that he hadnt forgotten it, her biting her lip? he had to change how he saw that now.. it had always been her cutest thing. But he wasnt sure that she would allow him to still think it was cute as friends, so he didnt say anything about unlike his usual comments on it. He nodded and smiled "Yes.. I.. I didnt want you to have to avoid me either. I ... I wanted us to be friends.. like we planned to be." he wasnt ready for Ella to leave his life completely just yet, so he was a little desperate to keep that tiny bit of hold he had on Ella before he may have to let that go. But right now he was holding on as tight as he could, cause even as friends.. Ella had made him real happy.. and he knew she could do it again. He believed in her strength to make this work, he had always told her she was strong.. this was where they would see it.. her strength to move on from such a heartbreak. Him.. he was not as strong.. and he would take a little longer.. but he would try his hardest to move on. How did they do this? "Well.. I.. I guess doing what we used to do before" back when they were friends, he looked out over the duck pond "Just.. hanging out.. and talking like two friends." he looked back at her "That have always been friends.. and nothing more than two friends!" and nothing less he added in his head. Yes they had to now forget that the last one year had ever happened, as much as it pained him to think like that.. he was willing to do that. He didnt want to forget the time they had dated, but to keep her from forgetting him.. he was willing to do this too.. he was willing to do anything.

LO! That was Laura's new nickname and she liked it. GOOD. Bliss would have called her that anyway, because that's the way she rolled. Once you got a Bliss!nickname, it didn't change unless she found a new, better one. That didn't happen very often though. Bliss picked great nicknames. "That's goooood," she chirped and giggled along with her cousin.

GIIIIIIIIIIIGGLE.

BLINK. Laura had missed her more, huh? "Not likely," Bliss said and beamed at Laura. "I didn't get anything, but that's alright. I'm sorry I didn't send anything either," Bliss mumbled and half smiled. She'd been quite busy this summer, with her family and animals and yes...Tag. But not it that way. BLIIIIIINK.

.____________.

Bliss listened to the entire story and blinked and let out her breath, because for whatever reason, she been holding it. Yeah. She was normal. But wait a minute. "YOU KISSED SOMEONE!?!?" Bliss exclaimed, going all wiiiiide eyed at her cousin. Lo had kissed someone. EWWW. That wasn't what bothered her though. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked curiously. Cousins told each other EVERYTHING. Didn't they?

"Er, are you still in an argument?" Bliss asked, hoping for a no. Laura's parents were really nice, so it would be weird if they were still mad at her. Plus, as much as it pained her to admit it, Laura was old enough to kiss someone if she pleased. So they SHOULD see sense. But...if they didn't..."You know, if you still are...you could stay at my house for a bit for the Christmas holidays?" Bliss offered and smiled warmly at her cousin. One things for certain, Bliss' siblings would love to finally meet their sort-of-long-lost cousin.

Christmas ? And people said that HE had a strange name! But people calling their child Christmas were odd. Still, he was a Prefect and so he smiled. "Nice to meet you Christmas, you are new here at Hogwarts right?" cause Daichi had never seen her before...

"Hey, you want to help me?" he asked and without waiting for an answer he continued. " I want to use the befriending charm on one of the ducks but i can only pick one" he sighed loudly as he eyed the cute ducks. "Which one should i choose?"

So this...well it wasn't as scary as she thought it was going to be. Not that Harvey was a scary person or anything, Ella just...well she wasn't sure how this talk was going to go. So far things were pretty good though, a pleasant surprise for the fifteen year old.

"I'd like that, us being friends." The blonde said quietly, eyes on the duck pond. She couldn't look at him right now because she felt like she was being selfish or something, wanting him to be her friend again. Especially when, well when she'd been the one to break things off. Was it cruel expecting him to be her friend after everything? But he...well Harvey was saying he wanted them to be friends too so maybe...well maybe things could work out after all.

The badger watched him as he explained how things could be the same, unsure if that was actually possible. She wanted it to work though, really she did. "And you think...one day things won't be as weird? I mean...as they are now? That we'll...be able to be happy and stuff again?" Because Harvey was really smart and he'd know this sort of thing. She trusted him.

Christmas smiled at the boy and said "Yeah i just transferred from Beauxbatons and sure i would love to help how about the black duck with bits of white on it's wings"

He smiled as she wanted to be friends too, that was a good thing for him cause that meant that she hadnt changed her mind. He looked at her as she looked at the pond, the way this talk was going.. this would actually turn out to the bestest thing that has happened on this day. He was actually feeling better about things, cause the doubts that he had were now disappearing slowly and he was glad about it. It showed him that.. maybe over time.. they will be the best friends they were before, and he was wondering if it was possible.. but look at them now.. they were talking and hanging out.. sure there was some awkwardness but that would disappear as it done before.

He nodded and smiled a little "I think we will be happy.. and stuff again" he wanted to step closer and try and reassure her "Things used to be weird and awkward between us at one point in time" he smiled "But then things got better.. and they will get better again.. Im sure of it" well he was actually hoping that they would, but if history repeated itself then they would soon be hanging out and laughing again as if no awkwardness had occured between them. "It may take some time.. but things.. have to get better" cause they couldnt get any worse than this.. could it? nope.. it can only go on upwards from here, and thats what was the motivation that was helping him continue moving on from all of this and towards friendship. Was she doubting that they could be friends again? "Why did you ask that?" he wondered out loud.

Ella breathed a sigh of relief and felt herself smiling a little, eyes on the older Claw. "That's um...that's good because I want us to be." Both of them. They deserved that, yeah? What happened...well it happened and they couldn't change it or fix it but maybe someday they could be even better friends than they'd been before. That...well Ells would really like that.

The blonde nodded her head, remembering how things had been between them when Ella first started to like Harvey. They'd been...well really really strange and it was hard to carry on a conversation with him, kind of like now. Things did get better though, Harvs was right about that. "Yeah...I think you're right. Things...they'll only improve from here, right?" They had to because...well Ella wanted to have an awesome term. BLINK. Why had she asked? Ells turned her body to look at Harvey and frowned a little. "I was just...worried, I guess. I don't want you to be unhappy and I don't want to be unhappy either so...it's just something I was thinking about, is all."

He nodded "Yeah it is.. I want that too" for you he added in his head, cause he wasnt too bothered about himself cause he was experienced in all this and he knew that over time he would be ok.. but it was Ella he was worried about. He wanted her to be happy more than anything else. But he could understand why she wanted the same for him too, no matter what the way they cared about each other.. that wouldnt go away it would remain even as friends. He smiled at this knowing this.

He smiled and nodded "Yeah.. it can only improve from here" they had to! cause he didnt want to go a whole term wondering whether they could hang out or not, whether he could talk to her or not. He looked at her and smiled a little "Well.. neither of us have to worry anymore. I wont be unhappy" as long as she was with him even as a friends. He looked down, before looking back at her "Even as friends Im sure we will be happy, I mean we cant be sad after being friends.. right?" cause they had been happy before. It was just like going back to that phase in their lives, they had been happy and really close, no awkwardness or anything. "Ella.. we will be ok.. hopefully you can believe me on that" he said smiling and looking at her, even though he was reassuring her.. he himself was not sure if it would work.. but he was doing his best to make it work. She would believe him right? he hoped she would. "So... hows.. the classes been for you?" he asked.. cause there was only so much they could say about their situation.. and.. they had talked about it.. unless she had any other doubts she wanted to question.