Back outside she found herself looking at the familiar tapestry that she walked by fairly often. The dust that has settled on it still annoyed her and she wondered how the moving occupants of the tapestry weren't rioting...like...they were just dancing. HELLO, the castle wasn't in perfect order, no need to act like it! JEEZ. Walking off might have been for the best. If they didn't care then she shouldn't care either. It was just dust. Nothing but dust. Just one probably...

After living in the stuff for over a month now, it was starting to drive her nuts! Her room back home was perennially unclean but even then, it was never filled with dust and dirt. No. Simply stuff thrown around. She could deal with that, not this.

"Oi, you guys want to get clean?"

She stared at the tapestry and it's ballet people. Seriously, why ballet? It always puzzled her. The thing was so girly and junk. It was almost enough to have her make a face but then they might have taken it the wrong so she kept a neutral expression and stared as she was casually ignore. Fiiiiiiiine. Stay in the dirt.

"Vacavus!' Or not. She was already here, she might as well had otherwise it'd be a waste and she didn't much like waste. Lex lifted the vacuum hose and tried her hardest to get all the dirt and suck off the tapestry. She had to admit, it looked a lot better when she was done. "And you lot are most welcome." You know, even if they weren't polite enough to say thanks.

Ruuuude.

She had only gotten a little farther down the hall, her little gargoyle was following her slowly reaching for her and scrambling like an evil zombie creature she just shuddered at the idea. She snorted. No one said this thing couldn’t be creepy right because this one so was. “Finite” she stopped the little thing from moving anymore and it returned to its normal position.

Leaning down she picked the thingy up and put it onto the ground so it was standing up straight.

“Piertotum Locomotor” She pointed her wand at the gargoyle and watched as it snapped back to life – almost more quickly this time. That was very awesome really – how fast it had moved. She just smiled and thought about what to call him. “Now spin around and flap your wings” she smiled over to it and thought about what to do. “Okay now stick your arms on your hips and wiggle your bottom” she watched as it snapped to life and began to spin and flap its wings and then began to wiggle its bottom.

She was giggling by now the creep factor now she just laughed. “Finite” she stopped her little gargoyle from moving and continued to another location. She was after all heading to the library.

After he was done discovering hiding places that no one knew (Forrest was truly convinced that only he had discovered that little hiding place in Lachlan the Lanky) the little boy walked further on the corridor with a sliiiightly confused expression. He had walked every floor before, but somehow he didn't quite remember this floor in particular, so everything there surprised him. He was practically walking like a tourist as his head tried to turn to every direction at once not to miss anything. He walked sloooowly, dragging the vacuum cleaner (his arms were sore) as it made a horrible noise on the ground.

Who cared? Not him. Who was man enough to tell him to stop it? NO ONE.

Well, because everyone was in their common rooms, but he liked to think himself as a brave kid that no one dared saying 'Stop that!' to.

He stopped in front of a tapestry at last to examine it. Dropping the vacuum cleaner for the millionth time that day (it became a reflex), he put his first two fingers of his right hand on his chin as his other arm was supporting its weight, and he gave his weight on his left hand, his butt a little out to the right. He angled his head to the left too and looked at the tapestry thoughtfully for a while like those fancy art critics.

Well, his intent was to look for a while and then hum to himself but the tapestry was funny and...

"Ha Ha HA! I mean--did you really--Ha Ha HA!"

He bent down as the fits of laughter overwhelmed him. Trolls--doing--ballet, good gracious! The tapestries occupants stopped what they were doing and glared at him but--this--was--SO--funny!

He extended his hand dramatically forward to some invisible lover.

"Oh Romeo, Romeo--HA HA HA!"

The occupants of the tapestry had started to insult him dramatically too--so he tried to focus on them again and stop the laughters. He snorted once or twice though as another fit threatened him, but he was good for a while.

Picking up the hose, he pointed his wand and said "Vaca--"snort"--vus." It took some time for the spell to work, but it worked at last as he started laughing again and he waved it distractedly on the tapestry, eliciting more insults from the occupants. These didn't seem to bother him too much though, and he was done in a few minutes.

"Good luck mate," he called out to Barnabus at last as he snorted again. "Good piece of work. Twenty out of ten."

Hehe.

He gave one last look at them and then he dragged his vacuum cleaner to somewhere else.

As Tag was making his way back to the common room, he stopped mid corridor as he saw a very entertaining tapestry nearby him. He walked over to this tapestry and began to chuckle at it, as it highly amused him. It seemed to depict some person trying to hold a dance lesson to trolls. No. Not a dance lesson, a ballet lesson to trolls. Wasn't that rather difficult? Tag thought. "I'm so so so so sorry, dear trolls." Tag apologized to them, for they had experienced some sad demise.

She was bored. And like always when that happens she takes a tour. A tour around the castle, mhhmm. Where else? Mostly the lake would be her first destination. But it was really cold and she had forgotten to bring a coat and wasn't going to PAY a knut to go in to get one. Seriously with this paying thing. So very bad for people who regularly forgot stuffs and had to go back.

So Cassia took a stair after stair, chatting with people on the way and portraits. Surprisingly their conversations weren't that bad. Until she reached the seventh floor. Now she didn't come her very often since her common room was at the Dungeons. So she thought to wander around a bit. Taking a turn she heard someone laughing. The fourth-year followed the voice and found a boy. She got closer and peered at what he was laughing at. Oh the tapestry. The Slytherin chuckled seeing it. Funny indeed. Then turning back to the Gryffindor boy whom she recognized seeing him around, "Oh you know them? The trolls?" She asked with a giggle because he was apologizing so yeah...Her sense of humor was on. "And hi, Tig!" She added. That was his name right.

Poor, poor, poor trolls. This wasn't their lifestyle. Even if it was on a tapestry it was a rather sad thing, but yet, funny thing to see. The little blonde tried to imagine trolls, real life trolls learning ballet, and the image in his mind was quite ridiculous.

The movie inside his head, however, was disrupted by a fellow fourth year slytherin. Oh, Cassia, right? Believed Tag specifically knew these trolls. "Oh, no." Tag said with a quiet chuckle. "Quite a sight, isn't it? Dancing trolls. It may be odd to see, but hey, at least it looks like they're enjoying themselves. Yes." And that's all that mattered, in life. Enjoying yourself and being happy. Even if you had to embarrass yourself within the process. "Tag. But you can call me Tig, if you want!" Cue cheesy grin. "Hello, Cassia, yes? How are you?"

During sad times like those, being a broke school and having to pay! Not to mention cleaning clothes and parents coming over to donate...wait where was she? Oh yeah in sad times such as those ONLY humor and carefree personality got to enjoy life. Like this particular Lion, he earned an approving grin. "Indeed. And the fact that they are willing to kinda humiliate themselves to have fun means that they are having tons of it," Fun that is, "So they don't care about people laughing at them." She said turning right back to the dancing trolls. Never gets old, no?

Oh her lame memory was't going to improve was it. Cassia would have eyed it but it really wasn't a choice was it. "Oh, sorry 'bout that." Oh but he wasn't mad or annoyed, he didn't turn his back hurt, like some people did. "Well, Tig is cool too, you know," She nodded knowingly. "Uh-huh. I'm Cassia but you can call me Cassia-yes?!," She laughed lightly. Again her sense of humor.

"I'm pretty well. Taking a tour around the castle." She said rocking on her heels. "Got bored in the common room," Everyone were slumped on couches and in couples. "And the grounds are cold so.." She said spreading her arms a bit. "My feet got me here," She stated. "How're you doing?" She asked Tag.

"EGGaxctly!" Tag responded enthustiastically to Cassia. She was on the right track definitely. "And there's nothing better than having fun. And these trolls found an excellent and unique way to do it. Perhaps we should all go about it that way this term. Everyone seems to be having trouble with payments, but if we let loose a bit have fun and enjoy the company of each other than maybe things would lighten up!" Woweh! The little blonde had never said so much. Encouraging words. That's what this school needed. And lifted spirits. Wow. Cassia was really hitting all the points today. She was really understanding Tag. "The less you care, the more fun you'll have!"

"Its really no problem." Tag reassured her. He hadn't minded actually. For a second he was confused as to why she had called him Tig, but it was just a one vowel mix up. The boy would let it slide by. No big deal. "Ahhh, Cassia-YES! I got confused for a second." He had to admit to her.

Taking a tour? Tag called it 'getting lost'. But potato, potatoe! Everyone saw walking around the school in different manners. He still got lost around here, everyone did, he assumed. "Taking a tour or getting lost?" The leprechaun said with a slight grin. Cassia didn't seem to like the cold, but Tag did. Perhaps it was because he is a December baby? Either way it was chilly outside. "I am doing excellent! Really, terrific actually." He had stuff planned for the weekend that was making him really happy, so everything was going really well for him.

As Tag emphasized the idea of having fun, the Slytherin just kept nodding along to his words. If only everyone believed in this. Especially, older students who had a habit of just mopping around. They annoyed Cassia. "I couldn't agree more." She said, "Though, I really hope this money hurdle goes away." She added because she really did. It sucked having to spend a portion of your money just navigating and eating? "I like how you put it, should become a motto," She grinned at him. "With credit to you for phrasing it." Because everyone should take credit for what they do. That's how Slytherin mind worked.

Cassia smiled to Tag's kindness, he's cool she thought. The snake giggled when he asked about getting lost. "Well, I might have been lost but only because staircases decided to move before I got to my destination," She told him. "So it's totally the stairs' fault, not miiiine," She tried saying it with a serious tune but the smile failed her. Okay, she gets lost but she wasn't going to admit.

Ohhhh. Nods were always good in Tag's mind. And now Cassia yes was agreeing even more with Tag's thoughts. Awesome! "Really? Thanks! Maybe we should try to spread this out you know. Do something fun and unique and other people will join us and living at Hogwarts once again will be a merry time!" He really believed that if everyone joined in people's spirits would be in better moods and no one would be as grumpy, especially in payment. "Yeah. Its a shame we have to pay. But I guess I'd rather pay and still be able to come to Hogwarts than it being shut down. You just gotta look at the positives." Tag said with a little nod. Paying only meant they would still be able to go to Hogwarts. If they didn't have to pay then they probably wouldn't be in the castle at the moment.

Those staircases always changing people's course of direction. Though, that could create for some fun. Unwanted, granted, but still there must've been some fun in getting lost in a castle. "Ahh. Those meanie stairs changing where you were going. But hey, at least you get some sort of adventure. That's always good, especially in a castle. Its fun to get lost and enjoy the adventure." Tag first nodded at Cassia's reasoning and then when she let her serious face break, and a smile crept upon her, his mouth slowly turned into a smile as well, laughing a bit at the thought of blaming the stairs.

She's nodded a lot but they were necessary. At least now she was nodding because she was totally with what was being said. Not like lessons, you sometimes just nod because it's not cool to sit like a statue. Not that statues weren't cool. "We should," She agreed. Vocally this time. "What do you think would alert the attention of the Hogwarts population, Philosopher Tig ?" She said standing straight and speaking in a classy tone. Yeah the girl was so much into acting and shows. Cue why she suddenly broke into a show. Some found her silly. Didn't work to stop her.

"Exactly!" She squeaked commented. "In my first year, I got lost tons of times," She said with a sigh. "Portraits would laugh at me, not all are nice you know," She added. "But then an older student, a Ravenclaw helped me out to know my way around." Cheesy and boring story. It didn't seem that boring inside her head. "Though it doesn't end, does it? Stairs wouldn't care who was on them." If they even knew. "If I were a set of stairs I wouldn't, actually I'd have fun changing routs." That was said with a giggle. And might have sounded both lunatic and Slytherin. She just spoke up of what she thought you know.

A huge grin spread over Tag's face as Cassia yes called him a philosopher. No one had ever called him that. It was a big title, and it was the first one he's ever heard. All he ever heard was that he was good at giving advice, but being a philosopher, he never got that. "How do we bring the school in?" Tag repeated to himself as he rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner. [B]Food. Free food. But not just any food, a food everyone loves. Ice cream. We shall give Hogwartians ice cream!

"I always and do continue to get lost." Tag said agreeing with her on the most part. "I'm sorry. Those portraits are big meanie heads, and they're only jealous of you." Yep. Because that made sense. "Exactly. They just go wherever they want to. Not taking us to our actual destination. And it looks like you'd be one of those 'I'll take you wherever I want to' staircase" He said with a little quiet laugh. Cassia yes seemed up for an adventure, even if it looked like it was an accidental adventure.

There was a tiny part of Cassia that feared that Tag might not like the Philosopher title. What if he didn't know what it meant and thought that it was an insult! Not that she knew a whole lots of info about it. But she did know that philosophers are deep people who come up wit theories about life and whatnot. Her father talks about them a lot. Which was probably strange for a pureblood family but her father likes to take a peek at all kind of knowledge. Boring, huh. "Hmm.." Cassia echoed as Tag caught up and played the philosopher pretty well. "That is really a good idea," She nodded with approval. "It is obvious that everyone is..." Madly-obsessed "..into ice-cream. The students would actually survive on it," She knew Lex would. "And it is delicious," Duh. Everyone knew that!

"What's your favourite flavor?" They obviously were discussing flavors, now.

"They sure are," She said enthusiastically referring to the portraits. Jealous suuuure. "Yup, jealous because they are trapped within the frames while we're not," Though that sounded kinda harsh since the people in the portraits were dead. But THEY started it. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she laughed lightly. "Well, yeah! Because it'd be fun. Though i'd be a considerate staircase. Like if the students ascending me were heading to an exam or something important I wouldn't mess with them," She told Tag like it was the most natural thing on Earth to decide what kind of staircase she would be. "I guess, I'd be able to know somehow." Surely magical stairs had their ways, no?

"I've been told I usually have good ideas!" The boy responded back just as excitedly. He then carefully watched Cassia-yes on what she had to say about ice cream. In all it sounded positive. But not positive enough. Now they were surviving on the ice cream! Excellent. Tag wouldn't mind surviving on the ice cream. "I'm very into ice cream, Alec, Ella and lastly Lex. I mean, as far as I know and can tell. Its always nice to hear that people could survive on ice cream. There's nothing bad about that." All was well.

"I'm gonna say mint, or cookie dough." But most ice cream flavors were great. "How about you?"

"Exactly. But they don't need to be mean to us though. A little bit of manners wouldn't hurt, you know?" Though he wondered what it must've felt like. Being trapped inside a portrait forever. They couldn't see the world, unless someone was constantly taking them everywhere. "I'm sure all the students would like you if ever one day you were a staircase. You sound like you'd be very kind to the students." And that was a .... compliment?

Apparently Tag was one of the ice-cream lovers. That was totally cool. Now, Cassia liked having it in certain times not all the time but she'd rather survive and live on ice-cream than some other kind of food. Anything that belongs to dessert group of food, she liked. The snake recognized the names when Tag mentioned them. "Oh last Quidditch match, I sat next to Alec and ate of his bowl. He's so kind." She said with a grin. The Hufflepuff seeker was so nice to share with her and very smart to have brought an extra spoon. "Totally nothing wrong," She emphasized.

"Those are good," She responded to what he said were his favorite flavors. "Mine would be raspberry. I also love the ones that have chocolate or nut chips," Yup, yup. What's an ice-cream with no chips? Hmm..hmm... It'd be a total waste!

The Slytherin clapped her hands when Tag mentioned manners. "Exactly, it is all about manners. There should be a manners' portrait to remind them," She would have volunteered but she already was becoming a staircase. And kind and liked one in Philosopher Tig's opinion. That called for a beam, "It'd be because I know how it feels," She said knowingly. Cassia was generally modest you know. Or so she thought.

He wasn't really sure what was happening to him, but Tag had always liked ice cream. But lately, that's usually all he thought and talked about, err, with the exception of one person. In all honesty, though, there was nothing bad with thinking and eating tons of ice cream. It was like chicken soup of the winter. And it worked great with all seasons. An the instant Cassia-yes mentioned Alec, Tag's face lit up and he smiled brightly at her. Leave it to Alec to have a bowl of ice cream with him. "Ahh, yes. Alec is probably the top three ice cream eaters at the castle." His said with a nod. No doubt in his mind that that could be a fact. "But, that was really sweet, and smart of him to have ice cream and to share it with you as well. " Good puppy!badger boy.

"Ohhh. Chocolate chips as well. Not nut though. I feel like it sort of removes the creamyness of the ice cream." Tag half agreed with Cassia-yes. Those little nut chips getting in the way of the smooth creamy ice cream. Who did they think they were?!

Manner portrait. Hmmm. Now Tag got to wondering if there was a manner portrait somewhere in the castle, but maybe that portrait was just hidden away from everyone else? Sad life. "Perhaps there is a manner's portrait. But maybe it was situated in a place no one walks nearby too much? If there is, they should bring that portrait out. Maybe YOU can be the manner portrait that isn't a portrait! Tag said excitedly. Yep. He thought that was another compliment. The boy was terrible at those.

It only now occurred to Cassia that Tag and Alec are besties. You know she sees them around and stuffs. That's how she knew. Oh, and they both seemed to share their passion for ice-cream. Probably one of the reasons they were friends. Of course, other things too. Because people don't just become friends over one thing. And an edible thing too. There's a lot more to friendship. Yup. "I think Lex is among the three, too," Cassia chimes in. "Who do you think would be the third. Umm..You?" She asks with a grin. "Okay! You," Yeah she just answered her own question. She does that. " So, Alec the seeker, Tig the philosopher and Lex....the candy-addict are the three top ice-cream eaters!" It had just become official since the slytherin announced in an enthusiastic tone. In her opinion at least.

He agreed! Of course he did. Who doesn't like chocolate chips. As for the nuts she knew people who didn't like them, either. So she wasn't surprised. "That is a legit theory," She said approvingly. She might not have agreed but the way he explained it was so ice-cream-ish.

It hadn't occurred to her that a portrait might be there but like lost or neglected. "[b] Let's go and search for that poor hidden portrait!" She said excitedly. "Unless you have homework or stuffs." Or you know philosopher's duties? She wouldn't want to interrupt. "Thanks! But then I'd only be able to choose between being a staircase or a portrait," She said as her gaze trailed to the dancing trolls. A hard decision to make.

Tag listened to Cassia as she decided who would come in first, second, and lastly third in terms of ice cream lovers. To the most part the leprechaun agreed but he then quickly said I actually think Lex could come second and me third. And as a fourth placer Ella? That made sense to Tag. He then slammed a fist into his opposite palm as a way of showing a stamp of approval. It's official. Court dismissed. Bring in the dancing lobsters .

Whoa. Not only did he have a good theory Cassia Sid it was legit. An legit was awesome. The boy bounced and beamed because Cassia had complimented his theory.

Ohhh, an adventure that sounded nice! More bouncing on the heels of his feet from Tag. No. I'm not busy at all. I think this would be good fun. Hmmm. Tag slightly frowned when he realized he'd put Cassia in the position of choosing between being a staircase or a portrait. Both sound like fun. You can visit other portraits and hang out with them as we'll as speak with students. Butttt being a staircase you can help the students get to class.

" Oh you think so? Then Lex is in second place!" She just legalized the slight change. Surely Tag knew better about since he was among the list. Then the Slytherin laughed when Tag announced it all settled. She looked around as if lobsters might actually come. Well, they had dancing trolls? And for her role she crossed her arms across her chest and nodded all sophisticated like, like in a court. Not that she's ever been there....yet?

Here's someone cool who prefers fun over going in and doing more study. Tag was just getting higher and higher on the cool-rank. "It is going to be fun," She nodded knowingly. One just had to decide that he or she is going to have fun and it just happens. All about intentions. Cool people know this. "Mmm.." She echoed her finger on her chin as she considered which she'd prefer. "A staircase always stays where it is, because changing the rout doesn't count and it doesn't speak," She said analyzing. And that was a problem for her she could never stop talking. "I think I prefer being a portrait," Yup. It was settled.

"Also, I'm told I look pretty in pictures," She added with a grin. She is modest you know. Just stating that.

Christmas was making her way towards the common room but she stopped by the statue of barnabus the barmy to have a little rest she had heard rumours about dementors about the school she just had to be wary and keep an eye on things

Eliza, walking with her head slung low in defeat, let her feet carry her wherever they wanted. It wasn't until she sense someone nearby that she bothered to look up. "Oh, hi there Christmas," she said slowly. She tried to lift a corner of her mouth into a half smile, but she just felt too empty at the moment. She stopped walking, stood in front of the tapestry, and watched the strange guy training some sort of ballet act. "Well at least they're having a good time," she noted morosely. Why was it that the art got to be happy and the real living humans did not? Because art is always better than life, Eliza. Everyone knows that. She gave a sidelong glance to Christmas and wondered if she'd been feeling this way lately too.

Christmas looked at Eliza and said "Oh hey Eliza your looking pretty down it is because of what is happening in the school this year and where do you think that the dementors have come from and why are they at the school"