The day after the feast, a lot of thought flood through the Hufflepuffs mind. Like why the Heasmistress made all these changes. Of course Nessie had all her assumptions about it, but she'd leave them to think about later. Right now there was only one place she wanted to go to.

At the door of Professor J's office, there was only one thing Nessie could smell which just like always was peppermint. She smiled, it made her feel more at home already, considering everything going on. Summer had been long and there were a few things she wanted to speak to James about, but more importantly she had something she wanted to give the Professor. Just a small gift of appreciation, because James deserved that.

Ella would pitch up soon too, Ness had told her to join, but till she came, the seventh year knocked on the open door, her free hand occupied with a gift bag filled with presents inside. "Professor?" She peeked her head inside.

Ella had left the commotion of the entrance turnstiles and planning behind and headed towards Professor J's office, knowing Loch Nessie would be there. She was eager to have a nice stress-free chat with the red head and Quidditch Professor and really, she wanted to ask about Max too. She missed her Hogwarts big brother and was constantly wondering how he was doing. Who better to ask then his mom though, yeah?

"Hey Ness!" She greeted as she walked up beside the Head Girl. The blonde then peeked her head inside the doorway as well and waved. "Hello Professor, mind some company?"

With the recent cutbacks, Professor James was relieved to have her own office where she could control its state and contents. Aside from her bing cherry shortage - she wasn't going to hinder the poor lone house elf at the school - her office was in the same pristine state as the previous term. Instead of the bowl at the edge of her desk containing her favorite fruit, the bowl was filled to the brim with shiny, round bronze objects: knuts. For... emergencies among the students, naturally. Surely the Headmistress wouldn't mind how the students paid their dues, eh?

Text Cut: Nessie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talikins

The day after the feast, a lot of thought flood through the Hufflepuffs mind. Like why the Heasmistress made all these changes. Of course Nessie had all her assumptions about it, but she'd leave them to think about later. Right now there was only one place she wanted to go to.

At the door of Professor J's office, there was only one thing Nessie could smell which just like always was peppermint. She smiled, it made her feel more at home already, considering everything going on. Summer had been long and there were a few things she wanted to speak to James about, but more importantly she had something she wanted to give the Professor. Just a small gift of appreciation, because James deserved that.

Ella would pitch up soon too, Ness had told her to join, but till she came, the seventh year knocked on the open door, her free hand occupied with a gift bag filled with presents inside. "Professor?" She peeked her head inside.

Text Cut: Ellaboo

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Ella had left the commotion of the entrance turnstiles and planning behind and headed towards Professor J's office, knowing Loch Nessie would be there. She was eager to have a nice stress-free chat with the red head and Quidditch Professor and really, she wanted to ask about Max too. She missed her Hogwarts big brother and was constantly wondering how he was doing. Who better to ask then his mom though, yeah?

"Hey Ness!" She greeted as she walked up beside the Head Girl. The blonde then peeked her head inside the doorway as well and waved. "Hello Professor, mind some company?"

While reviewing the term's Quidditch schedule at her desk, her thoughts distant to the various payment centers around the school, two voices - two very familiar, welcome voices - stole her attention away from the parchment before her.

Professor James positively beamed.

"Miss Dixon and Miss Bishop!" Rising from behind the desk, James moved toward the doorway to hug her Hufflepuffs. "Ah, how convenient - my former captain and my new captain - congratulations by the way, Miss Bishop - and you, Nessie, on your Head Girl position." She gave both a motherly embrace before pulling back and putting her hands on her hips, her gaze drifting to the bag in the Head Girl's hand. The sides of her lips quirked upward in a smile, but she continued, addressing both of them with glee and interest, "How was your summer?"

N'awwwww! Professor James looked happy to see them and Ella couldn't help but feel at home as the older woman approached her and Ness and gave them a hug. The James family were good huggers, did they know? Ella had definitely noticed and she'd be telling Max as much when she wrote him next.

Grin. "Thanks, Professor! I hope I can do the position justice. I um... have some pretty big shoes to fill." Shuffle. And the sixteen year old smiled at Nessie quickly before looking back up at the flying Professor. Oh and summer? "My summer was brilliant. I got a chance to work at a zoo, actually. It was really exciting. I hope yours was good too, Professor. Did you get a chance to see Max much?" Because Max questions, yeah, Ells had lots of them.

Just as soon as he was able, Kaiden escaped the castle, and made it way out towards the Quidditch pitch. More specifically, he headed to the office of the Quidditch Lady, because he had questions. Or, well one very important question that he had thanks to Professor Space Man.

Nearing the office, he noticed a smell and sniff, sniff, sniffed. “Peppermint.” He said thoughtfully. Could be worse, could smell like the musty, dirty common room. Stopping at the open door, he knocked on the door post and asked. “Professor Quidditch Lady?"

Aaaah Ellacutie!There she was! Renesmee smiled at her kiddo and gave her a nod in greeting. The kiddo was going to make her proud this term, she could just tell.

Beeeeeaaaam.

Professor J! How good it was to see her. The seventh year instantly felt happier and she felt safer now or at least safer than last night which in Nessie's opinion was because Professor J always made Ness feel at home. With a smile the red head squished the Professor slightly back and then continued smiling as she pulled back.

"Thank you, Professor." She bit her lip slightly at the thought of Head Girl again. Aaannd as for Ella with that comment Ness gave her just a slight nudge. "Kiddo, you're going to be ferocious! Amazing! You'll make us proud, I know you will." Ella needed to know she thought that. As for summer Ella's sounded interesting. The zoo...yeah working with animals was not something Nessie excelled in. "My summer was a little less interesting than that." She shrugged. "Went away though...and um..I've been looking at Uni options for after school. I applied at WADA." Which was Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts, but Professor J would know that, no? "But yes, how was your summer?"

Aand Max? OHHH right Professor's son, Ness remembered him vaguely. Yeah she remembered Ella being close to him.

"Of course you will, Miss Bishop. You were an excellent team player last term - superb sportsmanship," James noted, recalling Ella's extreme efforts to encourage the other teams when they were down. "You'll do brilliantly, I'm sure of it - won't she, Nessie? A fine replacement for those 'big shoes'?" Her gaze settled on the former Hufflepuff captain with a warm, knowing smile; certainly Ness believed in Ella as much as Erin did.

"A zoo - really? Where was that? What kind of creatures did you work with?" If Ella ever wanted to mingle with a hippogriff, glumbumble, and a fwooper among other magical creatures, James knew just where to recommend. "Ah, I was actually surprised I didn't see you this summer - Max had mentioned having a summer gathering at the house with some friends, but I suppose his plans fell through as he wasn't even home long enough to hold such an event. He mentioned spending time with Ellie Stone, Genevieve Branxton, Louisa -" what was her last name? "... Carter, isn't it? He visited with Emmaleigh a bit as well. So, unfortunately, he spent a bit more time with friends this summer than he did visiting home." She supposed that was normal, though, wasn't it? Summers were meant for fun, not necessarily for family time. Though... she would have enjoyed more of that.

Text Cut: Nessieee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talikins

Aaaah Ellacutie!There she was! Renesmee smiled at her kiddo and gave her a nod in greeting. The kiddo was going to make her proud this term, she could just tell.

Beeeeeaaaam.

Professor J! How good it was to see her. The seventh year instantly felt happier and she felt safer now or at least safer than last night which in Nessie's opinion was because Professor J always made Ness feel at home. With a smile the red head squished the Professor slightly back and then continued smiling as she pulled back.

"Thank you, Professor." She bit her lip slightly at the thought of Head Girl again. Aaannd as for Ella with that comment Ness gave her just a slight nudge. "Kiddo, you're going to be ferocious! Amazing! You'll make us proud, I know you will." Ella needed to know she thought that. As for summer Ella's sounded interesting. The zoo...yeah working with animals was not something Nessie excelled in. "My summer was a little less interesting than that." She shrugged. "Went away though...and um..I've been looking at Uni options for after school. I applied at WADA." Which was Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts, but Professor J would know that, no? "But yes, how was your summer?"

Aand Max? OHHH right Professor's son, Ness remembered him vaguely. Yeah she remembered Ella being close to him.

As Nessie praised Ella on cue, James offered multiple nods of reassurance. At the Head Girl's news, Erin brightened up even more, "Did you? Congratulations! That's a good step in figuring out your life - and you can still keep your options open. Are you applying anywhere else as of yet, or is your heart quite set on WADA?

"I spent a week in Italy," she noted shortly, her gaze unfocused as she pondered the matter, but she brightened up once more and continued along, clearly uninterested in elaborating, "but that was the most exciting thing I did. Spent most of my free time with my husband at home." The usual.

Come along then, girls. Open up. Her eyes sparkling with interest, Erin inquired lightheartedly, "To what do I owe this visit? Or did you just miss my free peppermints?" She plucked two from the bowl on the end table and tossed them to the Hufflepuffs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yourenodaisy

Just as soon as he was able, Kaiden escaped the castle, and made it way out towards the Quidditch pitch. More specifically, he headed to the office of the Quidditch Lady, because he had questions. Or, well one very important question that he had thanks to Professor Space Man.

Nearing the office, he noticed a smell and sniff, sniff, sniffed. “Peppermint.” He said thoughtfully. Could be worse, could smell like the musty, dirty common room. Stopping at the open door, he knocked on the door post and asked. “Professor Quidditch Lady?"

Ah, a new face - or, at least, one that had never ventured to her office before. But... Professor Quidditch Lady? She chuckled at that, unfazed, and went along, beckoning him into the office with a hand, "Come on in, Mister Yarborough. Nice to see you. Everything all right?

Entering Kaiden was surprised to see not only the Quidditch Lady, but his two teammates. Or well, former teammates, but what ever. "Hi Professor Quidditch Lady, Its good to see you too." he said grinning, and coming into the office more, to stand with the girl. "Hey, Keeper Lady, Captain." He let his gaze fall across the room. Unlike everywhere else, it was nice and clean here. "Oh, and yes Ma'am, everything is fine." he said looking back at her. "I just... had a question or two...Quaffles and such."

Professor J and Nessie were really good at encouraging people. Did they know this? They should because Ella felt at ease and she may or may not have been blushing a little. "Thanks, both of you." Grin. "That means a lot and I just...I don't want to let anyone down." And she wouldn't, not if she could help it. She offered them both warm smiles before settling into her seat and tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

"A zoo! Yeah, it was brilliant!" Nodnod. And Professor James had lots of questions, huh? "It's the London zoo and I got to shadow the elephant keeper, Mr. Sylvia. He's brilliant." The blonde had learned loads about elephants and about patience too. "I'm a big fan of elephants, always have been," She offered as an afterthought by way of an explanation. As for not seeing Max, the sixteen year old frowned a little. "I meant to come by but I think we both were just really busy with things and from the sound of it, he had a lot of people to see." Which was sort of unfortunate, really. The being too busy part. "I talked to him, though. He seems to be doing really well!" Which she was pleased about.

Then Ella sat back quietly and listened as Nessie talked about her summer. She'd been looking at schools? "Really, Ness? That's brilliant!" Ella didn't know much about the red head's plans after Hogwarts but she was excited for her.

"Italy?" Dreamy sigh. "Is it really lovely there, Professor?" Ella asked curiously, her head tilted to the side. She longed to travel so any excuse to hear about places she'd never been were completely seized.

...Free peppermints? GIGGLE! Ella caught hers with ease and popped it into her mouth. "Thanks!" Cause they were delicious, obviously. "And I just really wanted to visit, is all." As for Ness, she had gifts, yeah?

Oh, and Kaiden was here now too? "Hey there!" Grin. "Welcome to the party."

Nod. Nod.

The red head just kept nodding as Professor J went on talking to Ella. The girl needed to know she was perfect for the position and everything James said about her was true. The Hufflepuff giggled slightly at the shoe comment though, because in reality her feet really weren't that big but she knew what the Professor really meant. "Yes. She really suits those shoes, Professor." Captain Ellaphant. See it even sounded good together. "No problem, Kiddo." She gave the blonde a smile, that turned to a frown because of what came out of her mouth next. But she understood what Ella felt, she'd been there and was sort of still there with her new badge but this wasn't a time to mention that. " You won't let anyone down, I know you won't." She knew the kiddo would do the best she could and at the end of the day that was what mattered.

During the whole zoo talk, the seventh year half listened half didn't. She didn't want them to feel like she was intruding in their conversation not that she thought either of them would have really minded but she wanted them to bond. Professor J was the person Ella would seen need to go to for almost anything quidditch related and it was important they got along well.

A smile lit up on Nessie's face as James congratulated her, but the congratulations wasn't really needed just yet. She still had to make it into the school which would not be too easy. "Yep, thank you. And yeah, I guess it is, it's kinda scary though."Because it meant growing up. Gulp. "Um..I haven't really applied anywhere else, but I feel like I should. You know so I've got back up?" She pouted as began thinking of that. Ella's voice of excitement was what got her distracted. She smiled at the fifth year and nodded. "Yeah, but I still have to get accepted and I'll probably have to audition soon." Which was absolutely nerve-racking to even think about.

But onto Professor J's holiday, that sounded not too busy which Nessie thought was good because a real holiday was supposed to be relaxing and if you were busy all the team when were you to relax? "Italy? That must have been quite something." Probably like Paris and to Ness that was one of the most beautiful places in the world. "Did you at least have a relaxing holiday then?"

Peppermints! She did miss those and caught the one thrown to her, popping it in her mouth. She then lifted her filled up present bag up and gave it to Profesor J. "I came here to give you this. It's just a little something for everything last year." Warm smile. She hoped James would like it.

Oooh. Another visitor and one Nessie was quite fond of considering he was another one of her kiddos. "Hi, Kaiden." She gave him a nod and smile and giggled at Ella's comment. Puff party this was then?

James tossed Kaiden a peppermint upon entering as a kind, welcoming gesture before replying, "I'm glad to hear that, Mister Yarborough. Quaffles, you say? Mmm." Certainly the boy wasn't having problems with any quaffles; he had been the top Chaser last term, so he could handle those things pretty well, right? "Go ahead. Shoot."

Text Cut: Ella

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Professor J and Nessie were really good at encouraging people. Did they know this? They should because Ella felt at ease and she may or may not have been blushing a little. "Thanks, both of you." Grin. "That means a lot and I just...I don't want to let anyone down." And she wouldn't, not if she could help it. She offered them both warm smiles before settling into her seat and tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

"A zoo! Yeah, it was brilliant!" Nodnod. And Professor James had lots of questions, huh? "It's the London zoo and I got to shadow the elephant keeper, Mr. Sylvia. He's brilliant." The blonde had learned loads about elephants and about patience too. "I'm a big fan of elephants, always have been," She offered as an afterthought by way of an explanation. As for not seeing Max, the sixteen year old frowned a little. "I meant to come by but I think we both were just really busy with things and from the sound of it, he had a lot of people to see." Which was sort of unfortunate, really. The being too busy part. "I talked to him, though. He seems to be doing really well!" Which she was pleased about.

Then Ella sat back quietly and listened as Nessie talked about her summer. She'd been looking at schools? "Really, Ness? That's brilliant!" Ella didn't know much about the red head's plans after Hogwarts but she was excited for her.

"Italy?" Dreamy sigh. "Is it really lovely there, Professor?" Ella asked curiously, her head tilted to the side. She longed to travel so any excuse to hear about places she'd never been were completely seized.

...Free peppermints? GIGGLE! Ella caught hers with ease and popped it into her mouth. "Thanks!" Cause they were delicious, obviously. "And I just really wanted to visit, is all." As for Ness, she had gifts, yeah?

Oh, and Kaiden was here now too? "Hey there!" Grin. "Welcome to the party."

"You won't let anyone down," James reassured. "Promise." Ella was fair too kind, sincere, and responsible to fail her team, even the Quidditch Official recognized that.

An elephant? The Muggle version of an erumpent? "That sounds... a bit frightening, I must say. Elephants aren't dangerous, are they? Just a bit massive?" she assumed with a smile. "That sounds like time well spent over vacation. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Would it be safe to assume you plan to pursue a career in zoology or magizoology, perhaps? Or was it just moreso just a fun experience?"

Italy was lovely, yes. "Beautiful country," Erin affirmed. Good food, too. And... "I'm honored that you wanted to take the time out of your day to stop by. You're welcome any time, Ella."

Text Cut: Nessie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talikins

Nod. Nod.

The red head just kept nodding as Professor J went on talking to Ella. The girl needed to know she was perfect for the position and everything James said about her was true. The Hufflepuff giggled slightly at the shoe comment though, because in reality her feet really weren't that big but she knew what the Professor really meant. "Yes. She really suits those shoes, Professor." Captain Ellaphant. See it even sounded good together. "No problem, Kiddo." She gave the blonde a smile, that turned to a frown because of what came out of her mouth next. But she understood what Ella felt, she'd been there and was sort of still there with her new badge but this wasn't a time to mention that. " You won't let anyone down, I know you won't." She knew the kiddo would do the best she could and at the end of the day that was what mattered.

During the whole zoo talk, the seventh year half listened half didn't. She didn't want them to feel like she was intruding in their conversation not that she thought either of them would have really minded but she wanted them to bond. Professor J was the person Ella would seen need to go to for almost anything quidditch related and it was important they got along well.

A smile lit up on Nessie's face as James congratulated her, but the congratulations wasn't really needed just yet. She still had to make it into the school which would not be too easy. "Yep, thank you. And yeah, I guess it is, it's kinda scary though."Because it meant growing up. Gulp. "Um..I haven't really applied anywhere else, but I feel like I should. You know so I've got back up?" She pouted as began thinking of that. Ella's voice of excitement was what got her distracted. She smiled at the fifth year and nodded. "Yeah, but I still have to get accepted and I'll probably have to audition soon." Which was absolutely nerve-racking to even think about.

But onto Professor J's holiday, that sounded not too busy which Nessie thought was good because a real holiday was supposed to be relaxing and if you were busy all the team when were you to relax? "Italy? That must have been quite something." Probably like Paris and to Ness that was one of the most beautiful places in the world. "Did you at least have a relaxing holiday then?"

Peppermints! She did miss those and caught the one thrown to her, popping it in her mouth. She then lifted her filled up present bag up and gave it to Profesor J. "I came here to give you this. It's just a little something for everything last year." Warm smile. She hoped James would like it.

Oooh. Another visitor and one Nessie was quite fond of considering he was another one of her kiddos. "Hi, Kaiden." She gave him a nod and smile and giggled at Ella's comment. Puff party this was then?

James nodded sympathetically. "Of course it's scary - growing old is scary. Becoming an adult is scary. All of it is scary. It's okay to be scared - we all were at some point." Far too true, unfortunately. "I'd... say it's wise to have a back-up plan, yes. Mind that saying about not putting all of one's egg in one basket. I always think it's best to keep some options open, don't you?" Erin smiled warmly, reassuringly, and continued, "I'm sure you'll be great with your audition. If you need a pre-audition pep talk, you know who to come to!"

"As relaxing as it could be, yes," Erin replied on the matter of her holiday with a smile; her smile faded to a relaxed expression punctuated by a playful eyeroll at Nessie's presentation of a present. "You really didn't have to get me anything, y'know," she commented softly, drawing her gaze down to the bag. Then, she rested the bag on her desk and moved behind it to dig in a drawer, "Is this something I should open now in front of everyone," she inquired, gesturing to the other two Hufflepuffs, trying to persuade Ness otherwise, "or should I hold onto it? Ah, here it is." James removed a thick manila envelope from her drawer, took a seat in her chair, and scooted the envelope toward Nessie, the corners of her mouth quirked up in a smile. "Mine is something I'd rather you open in solitude."

Ohh, a Peppermint. "Thanks" he said before unwrapping it and sticking it in his mouth. "Yeah..." the boy nodded, before looking up at the Professor Quidditch Lady. She wanted him to talk about quaffles now? He looked from her to the two girls in the room with them. They were okay right? They wouldn't say anything to anyone, about anything right? And Professor Quidditch Lady, She knew all about quaffles right? Because quidditch. "Err... Okay." He said rubbing the back of his neck. "So... there's this quaffle right? A really pretty one... That I really like... So, how does one 'Score' exactly?" As soon as he finished, he looked at the other too. There better not be any laughing.

Oh, Keeper Lady worked with elephants? That was cool. "Did you get to ride one?" he asked curiously. He didn't mean to interrupt, but it was just so neat. Right, so he would just be quiet now, even if things were interesting. Like the present and the envelope. Ohhh, what was that?

"Mm," James hummed in reply as she popped a peppermint into her own mouth and strode behind her desk to take a seat, properly looking at her company now. This Kaiden boy was a curious one, wasn't he? Speaking in riddles - he was fearless though, Erin thought, as he pressed forward with his question in front of two girls. Erin assumed neither were the quaffle in question, but she still tried to play along with his attempts at secrecy.

"You're asking... how to... score?" She paused, a smile dancing upon her lips. That was a silly way to put it. "Mister Yarborough, you were the top Chaser in the school last term - you don't need any advise on how to score. Just... be yourself - err, fly... naturally. Relax, aim, shoot. Don't tense up, it's bad for the joints -" was he following her? "and don't show off or try to impress anyone - that's when you overshoot and miss. But don't... let your guard down either - keep your eyes open for opportunities to shoot. Don't let them pass you by - someone'll steal the quaffle right from under your nose. He who hesitates is lost."

That all made sense, didn't it? Probably? "And... keep in mind, there are thousands of quaffles out there in the world if you miss with this one. It won't be the end of the world. There will be other Quidditch matches to take part in, new teams, new... environments." Erin's face contorted for a moment, stopping herself to ensure that she was still making some sort of point.

Nah. She couldn't figure out where she was going with that one.

...But she might as well figure out how much she actually helped. "Does that make sense?"

When Professor Quidditch Lady sat, Kaiden followed suit. He didn't care the others didn't, but well, this was serious business.

Sitting across from her he nodded. "Yeah, thats what Odessa said." he needed to score. What ever that meant. Wait, he was the top chaser in the school last term? He knew he was awesome, but didn't know that. and... He wasn't talking about that kind of quaffle and quidditch. And as she talked, he just sort of blinked at her, not understanding. Because honestly, he couldn't tell, and the whole thing confused him. A lot. Odessa's whole quidditch analogy thing seemed to always have him confused.

Though, the whole don't let the quaffle thing made him tense up and and he hands squeezed the cushion he was sitting on. He didn't like the sound of someone stealing either quaffle. ... Like Moses, or someone who didn't deserve to be named after a great city.

and then she was talking about more games and stuff, and he was lost again... was he getting it? "errr..... no." He said rubbing his neck nervously. "I'm er... not talking about that kind of quaffle." he said looking down at the floor and mumbling the last bit. "I'mtalkingaboutagirl" yeah, this was awkward...

Just another stop to pull off today. Oakey came to Professor James door prepared to just slip his informative note under it and be on his way, instead it was open.
So he came into the office and looked to the desk to see if she was in. It wasn't important, only that he needed to get these points back from Flamsteed who tasked him to get this note to the Heads, and to Professor James.
He grasped at the Note in his pocket.

James may have stared blankly at Kaiden for a bit longer than she intended to. He... was being serious, wasn't he? He really didn't pick up on a single thing she was saying?

Good looks, talent, and a good heart, but not the brightest bulb in the box, eh?

"Yes, dear, I know," she replied gently, giving him a warm smile, then went on to elaborate, "I was, too. I simply mean that you should be yourself around this girl - don't go out of your way to try to impress her because you might end up making a fool of yourself. That's a common mistake." She paused, humming to herself slightly and drawing her gaze to the wall above Kaiden's head to ponder the best truths to share with the boy. "The best relationships begin with the foundation of friendship. If you like her, build that friendship. If things don't work out quite the way you'd prefer, at least you'll still have her friendship in the end, then, right?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

Just another stop to pull off today. Oakey came to Professor James door prepared to just slip his informative note under it and be on his way, instead it was open.
So he came into the office and looked to the desk to see if she was in. It wasn't important, only that he needed to get these points back from Flamsteed who tasked him to get this note to the Heads, and to Professor James.
He grasped at the Note in his pocket.

Her office was quite the Hufflepuff-attractor, wasn't it?

"Mister Gunter," James greeted brightly, beckoning the boy inside. "Come in, come on in! How are you - and to what do I owe this visit?" He wasn't in trouble, was he?

Kaiden just sort of blinked at the Professor Quidditch Lady as she stared at him like he had two heads. It was weird, uncomfortable, and it seemed like everyone was doing that to him.

"oh" he mumbled and looked down. So she was talking about girls? This whole metaphor thing was really confusing. How was he supposed to know these things? People needed to be clearer. He needed to be himself? well that was easy, since he was in fact Kaiden. "I don't have to impress her, I'm already awesome." Yep, he nodded. "And we've been friends for four years." so that part wasn't very helpful, at all.

Looking up, he asked the other question that had been on his mind since Professor Space Man had mentions things last year. HE just wasn't sure he believed the Space Man. "Um, Professor Quidditch Lady? I also had another question. Is it true that there are professional quidditch teams? Like people really get paid to play?"

"Hello Professor James" Oakey said adjusting a smile on his face. "Thank you, Um I actually have a note that I'm required to deliver to you. it's in regards to Quidditch" sort of. he pulled the note out of his pocket and walked it over to the Professor extending it out for her to look at.
He gave the Quidditch Professor some time to read it over. No doubt she'll have questions. The others did as well.

Aw, she didn't mean to upset the poor kid. But... as soon as she started feeling badly for him, he displayed signs of pompousness. Not such an admirable trait to have. At least he was confident, though. "A good foundation of friendship should work in your favor, then, at least," James smiled. "So no matter what happens, you'll always have her as a good friend, right?" Which was... better than not having her as anything at all.

At Kaiden's next inquiry, James... hesitated. She stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. He was... serious again, wasn't he? He didn't know about professional Quidditch - or, better yet, why the phrase Appleby Arrows was plastered all over her office? Was he Muggleborn? But he was... older, wasn't he? Certainly he had heard the other students converse about their favorite professional Quidditch teams over the years. Did he think they were joking with him and such a thing didn't really exist? Did he think Quidditch was just a sport in schools?

"There are, actually, yes," Erin replied brightly, seemingly unfazed by his question despite her actual disbelief. "The British and Irish Quidditch League was established in 1674 and currently consists of thirteen teams," she explained, rising from her desk to move toward a bookshelf as she spoke. "And yes, people really do get paid to play." She laughed a bit at that as she plucked a copy of Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland from the shelf and brought it over to Kaiden. "There's just thirteen in the league - which you can read about here, if you want to borrow it - but there are many professional teams worldwide." She extended the book to him, studying his face for signs of... understanding of some sort.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

"Hello Professor James" Oakey said adjusting a smile on his face. "Thank you, Um I actually have a note that I'm required to deliver to you. it's in regards to Quidditch" sort of. he pulled the note out of his pocket and walked it over to the Professor extending it out for her to look at.

He gave the Quidditch Professor some time to read it over. No doubt she'll have questions. The others did as well.

Oh, a note. He wasn't in trouble, was he? He was required to give it to her? That didn't sound so good.

...

Upon reading the note, James re-read it, then glanced up at Oakey with curiosity. "How did you conduct your study and come to these conclusions, Mister Gunter?" Was this from his personal experience? And was he implying that there was something in these foods that was bad, or did he believe they were simply not an ideal source of fuel?

Being a friend was a good foundation... okay... "ButwhatifImessitup? Whatifshedoesn'tlikeme?" Because those were very serious issues. What if she didn't want to be his friend anymore? What if she did like him, and then decided she didn't anymore?

And she was doing it again. Professor Quidditch Lady was giving him that look. Like he didn't know anything at all. He knew stuff, just not all about this magic stuff. Or maybe its because there weren't any professional teams, and she just thought she was dumb. Wait, she just said there were! "Really?" the boy grinned. "I thought Professor Space Man was just making stuff up." He watched as she got up, and moved away. This was all really awesome. Seeing the book, Kaiden reached for it eagerly "Yes please." Looking down at it, then asked. "So then its like Racing? or no, more like Basketball or Hockey or something?"

How did he do it? "Well it was Flamsteed's detention. He retrieved ruined and dirty robes. Made me smell, and inspect the stains on them, then clean the robes." That was only half of the detention. James didn't need to know about him picking through Owl pellets for sickles and knuts. "I don't have the actual list he made me write up, but on it are each of the types of stains." Was this conversation getting gross yet?
"I could go to Toodles, and ask him what he's using in the food, just to make sure it's not his doing." He trusted the elf wasn't putting things in the food, and it was just everyones weird obsession with sweets that made them devour the stuff unrelentingly.

Zach, the Junior Undersecretary, was very excited to come back to Hogwarts, but this time its not an official business but of a pleasure one. he loves Quidditch and played for his university back in the US as a seeker. And he was stoked that he was given an opportunity to watch the finals match at Hogwarts.

He was once a student here before they moved to America. To be honest just a year, so he was a little bit familiar with the place. But before anything else he would like to make some courtesy call. And the first one would be the Quidditch Master.

He walked towards the office of Professor Erin James. He knocked and waited for a response.

Jory could not simply forget about Professor James. Was she busy? He listened trying to hear any sound of voices. But he could hear none. Great! He'd knock now.

Knock! Knock! Knock! All he had to do was wait now.

So...goodbyes. Not too long to go, maybe it wasn't a bad idea to start them before the feast. After all there were certain people Nessie wanted to see personally and alone. The feast was cool, but when you were surrounded by many others it wasn't so easy to have a proper goodbye where you could say what you wanted to.

This. This would have been better. Especially for Professor James because there were a lot of things Nessie wanted to say to her before leaving this place forever and that was place not people, because if there was one thing Nessie wanted to be sure of was to stay in touch with all the people that meant something to her here. There wasn't a chance she'd let them go out of her lives just like that.

These goodbyes then. They were going to be more of a goodbye till later, rather than goodbyes till forever. Yep.

Knock. Knock. "Professor J?" She did her usual peek through the open door.