Forrest was STILL holding her hand because the allure of kitchen was still too strong. They were lucky his will wasn't that weak for the time being and he wasn't uncomfortable at all with the hand-holding until they reached the hourglasses. Then he realised...

...that it was a girl's hand in his hands...

...and he blushed with immediate effect. Ew. It wasn't eeeeewwww but only Ew because it was Bristol's, but still she was a girl. He still remembered vividly that silly conversation about girlfriends whose boyfriends had graduated. UGH. No. NO hand-holding AT ALL EVER!

Looking awkwardly sideways at her, he let go of her hand and cleared his throat. What was he saying? Where were they? Hourglasses? Right.

"So these determine the house cup winner," he explained lamely. It was too obvious and his explanation could be taken as an insult to her intelligence, though he didn't try to condescend her at all! In fact, he was angry with himself. He feebly tried to grin to be less awkward, and cleared his throat again.

"Yeah. They look pretty."

Forrest boy, you are pathetic.

They really WERE speeding through the places now, weren't they? All the while, food was on her mind. She hadn't had enough at the feast by far because she'd been looking for peoples. Or just looking for Forrest. Not much difference really.

Because apparently Forrest is the peoples.

They'd been going around everything so fast, in fact, that she had barely noticed that they were holding hands. Before it had felt more like being tugged around, but now that they were standing still and admiring the lovely hour glasses, his warm hand in her's was definitely noticeable. Luckily, Forrest dropped her hand before she had the chance to drop his. Not because he HATED her or it or whatever, she kind of hoped, but because ... y'know, ew. She didn't want to think these weird thoughts, could they go and get food yet?

Shooting Forrest a shy smile (wow, yes, a SHY smile from Bristol) and looked at the hour glasses that would be collecting points. Hopefully she and her fellow Hufflepuffs would get LOADS. "Do Hufflepuff normally do well? I think we will, definitely." She said and nodded, barely noticing that he seemed slightly awkward.

She just passed it off for being hungry. Obviously.

Well, Bristol either didn't notice his silliness or decided not to comment on it. In any case, it allowed Forrest to compose himself and be back to his usual, care-free self. "Yes!" he answered her excitedly and grinned smugly. "We've won it for the past... 5 years? This year won't be any different." It wasn't even worth discussing. They were the best, and they acted accordingly.

"There's broom cupboard there," he pointed at its direction; "and that one's staff room. We're not allowed to enter though." He shrugged. "We can visit them at their offices anyway, so no big deal... That one's the bulletin board, you can hang notices there too if you lose anything... but I don't know what that room is." He was pointing at the governor's room, and his hand fell absent-mindedly to his side as he frowned. He wasn't seeing it for the first time of course, but rather he had just noticed it.

Well. If he didn't know it, it was unimportant?

Bristol really, REALLY hoped they'd win it this year again, because then she'd be able to say that she helped keep that wining streak for them. "Five years is a long time," she whispered in awe and grinned. "We can definitely make it six," she grinned moar and elbowed him softly. Especially when you have the best friends EVER on the scene. They would just scoop up the points with their awesomeness for sure.

More words of Forrest's.

She followed his finger as he pointed the places out and politely waited until he'd finished speaking to bombard him with ALL DA QUESTIONS. "Brooms! Quidditch!" Okay. So that wasn't a question, but it just slipped out. "Have you ever lost anything at Hogwarts?" Or maybe he still had got things lost; in which case, she'd help him find them again. "You don't know? .. Can we ... go in it?" Please, like pretty please? It was an adventure!

Though ... she didn't want to get Forrest in trouble.

ARGH, CONFLICTED.

Obviously Forrest hadn't been around for all the five years, but he knew the feeling from last year. His grin matched hers. "We sure can." With the new additions, no house else stood a chance.

Errrrm. "I... don't think these are Quidditch though. More like cleaning products." He wasn't too sure, but he vaguely remembered seeing inside when someone'd opened it. He shrugged. It wasn't that interesting.

"No." And he dearly hoped he wouldn't lose anything. This castle was HUGE!

Oh... oh... he visibly hesitated as he looked away. He wasn't sure about entering rooms he didn't know, but he didn't want to look uncool either.

"Erm..." He was starting to panic. Breaking the rules, or looking uncool? "I guess... we could peek..."

Gulp.

Bristol gave him a firm nod and large grin. They could totally, along with all the other Hufflepuffs, win again. No doubt about. While watching the still hourglasses, she wondered how easy it would be to gain points. Or lose them. What COULD you lose points for she wondered? It would be a helpful thing to know, so she asked. "What things can you lose points for?" Cos then she could avoid doing them, obviously.

Not for Quidditch? "Oh," she mumbled, then inquired, "do you play Quidditch?" Maybe he could tell from her question or expression, but she LOVED Quidditch. The rush of it. Taking it to 'school level' would be a whole new experience that she was bound to love. "That's good," she added when he told her that he hadn't lost anything. Yet. There was still plenty time for that, unfortunately.

PEEK. YES, YES, PEEK.

Oh, wait ..

"Are you sure, though?" SO CONFLICTED. She didn't want to get her bestie in trouble, but then she craved the adventure. Best friends came first, though - she and everyone else knew that. "We .. we don't have to look if you don't want to," she assured him and placed her hand on his arms in a sorta-hopefully-kinda-comforting way. Yes, that. "I mean it." She actually did, even if there was a part of that wanted to know just what was in that place.

Forrest shrugged. "General rudeness. Arriving at classes late. Breaking school property." It was hard to lose points, actually. If only one followed rules, it was enough.

Quidditch, yeeeeeah. He avoided her gaze. "No, not really." He tried to look nonchalant, but he was very un-nonchalant on the inside. She would look if she learnt about his pathetic flying skills, but alas!, she looked interested in the sport too!

Wait. New topic. Quick.

Soooo, it was either looking uncool or uncool. If he kept talking about Quidditch, his pathetic flying skills might be revealed--which, she would find out sooner or later anyway. If he refused peeking inside, she would think he was a chicken--which he was. But they couldn't just break rules, see? They were... rules for a reason. Rules were to be followed. Period. The end. Finito.

He didn't even notice her hand on his arms. He looked horribly conflicted with creased forehead and all. ARGH. This was what he hated the most! He didn't even hear her 'I mean it.' Of course she didn't mean it. Forrest knew. It wouldn't be the first 'chicken' label, nor would she be the first friend he would lose because he wasn't brave enough.

"A peek won't hurt..." he agreed in the end, although it was obvious that he thought it would be mortal. His voice was weak, and he'd started looking around suspiciously. They had to be quick before no one saw them, and then hide in Forbidden Forest for the rest of their lives y'know?

Right. She made mental notes all of those things. Don't break stuff. Be on time. Be polite. SORTED. Clearly now she'd become a top student, for sure. "Thank you," she said and nodded. In that moment, she felt suddenly grown p and mature, so she ... stood on her tippy-toes. Just prove how mature she was. LOGIC. She had lots. Of maturity, that is.

Oh. The words rang out in her head, over and over. He DIDN'T like Quidditch? "You don't? Why not?" Her voice didn't come out accusingly, as she'd suspected it might and hoped it wouldn't .. it come out more saddened and confused. How was it physically possible NOT to like Quidditch? The idea just seemed impossibly crazy to her. Like not likely oxygen or something.

Nevermind, though.

Best friends could overcome ANYTHING.

Like this, for example. There was no WAY she was going in there now if he didn't 100% percent want to. Her daddy had taught her to be the sort of person that supports and protects their friends and made sure they weren't forced into situations that they wouldn't like. She'd always done it with Dee and now she'd do it with Forrest, too.

First, though .. she'd have to decide a plan. One of two things. One, tell him words. Two, pretends to be scared too now - but that would be lying and lying was also bad. Even if it was sometimes necessary. "Forrest," she whispered, as he edged towards the FORBIDDEN door. Maybe it wasn't forbidden, but it had a nice little ring to it in her thoughts. She carefully took his hand and tugged him back, before letting go of his hand AS SOON as he'd move back to her side. "I can tell that you don't want to go in there and it's okay." NOD, NOD, NOD. "You're still the coolest person ever in the world. I swear to it." Did he believe her, because he should. It was ALL truth. "Best friends don't make their best friends do things they don't want to." Yep.

Plus, he didn't look like he'd make it, anyway.

He looked ready to pass out with fright.

Forrest giggled when she stood on her tiptoes. She did look older and bigger (in a good sense hehe). He was obviously lucky to be her best friend. He didn't want to be her enemy.

Why not? Why he didn't play Quidditch? He bit his lip nervously. Because he was horrible? Not that he had EVER ridden a broom, but he knew he was going to be awful on it. "There are people who fly better than me," he said at last, more like addressing the floor. She was one of those people too, he knew. He wasn't jealous, he just didn't want to admit he was bad at flying.

What? Hand tugging? He halted confusedly and looked at their hand, but he followed her nevertheless absent-mindedly. He met her eyes and saw the determination in that nodding. And he believed her. It really wass okay. He was still cool. She swore. Promises were always sincere. That brought some colour to his face and the most relieved, sheepish smile on earth. He stood there grinning as vastly as he could for a while. She was the best best friend he'd ever had that didn't judge him by his courage.

Words fail people in such gratitude moments, and this was one of them. "Thanks," was all he could say. His eyes and smile did the talking for him. He hoped she would understand that he loved her. It wasn't ew love. It was best-friend love and beyond. He took her hand once again. He didn't drag her this time, though. It was suddenly just comforting to hold it.

"Up we go, then," he announced, and started for the stairs.

Gruuuuumble...

"Okay, okay!" he mumbled, looking down at his stomach and giving it a small pat. He was hungry, yeah, and breakfast had happened what seemed like days ago, but was actually the timespan of a couple of hours. So... he was heading over towards the Great Hall to have some lunch, dinner, whatever. Maybe the house elves knew how to make that toasted sandwich that Minnie had made for him the other day. That had been really--

OH?

BLINK. Hold on...

... Something had caught his eye and, turning his head, he noticed the area where the hourglass was. His stomach, as if protesting, let out another louder grumble but he ignored it. This was quite important too! The seventeen year old edged closer, his head tilted to one side and his eyes blinking a little more than they should. Was that...? No... But... GRIN.

The gemstones were back! ... Or had they been here all along. ... He... wasn't sure. SQUINT.

Taylor danced and twirled her way down to where the hourglasses were. She was heading outside because it was an absolutely gorgeous day out. Tay was about to go straight for the door but she heard a grumble and looked around, seeing Alec. Must be starving… poor boy… Taylor frowned but then beamed at him, twirling over to him, ”Hey there!” She stood on one foot, stretching her leg then stood on her other foot, stretching her other leg. ”You ok? Your stomach is growling so loud…” A frown appeared, ”Why aren’t you feeling it? Arent you hungry? Are you okay?” Taylor was concerned for Alec as she tilted her head, watching him. Taylor casually glanced at the points, looking to see who was winning… well… it wasn’t the Ravens… so she shrugged and looked back at the hufflepuff boy. Oh how she wanted to talk to a different hufflepuff boy… perhaps one that first and last names rhymed… but she didn’t mind talking to Alec whenever they so happen to run into each other. Taylor just remembered that she had a bag of brownies in her purse. Her mother baked them and sent them to her. She took one out and held it out to him, ”Do you want a brownie? My momma made them from scratch and sent them in the mail.” She beamed a smile at the boy.

His stomach just would not die down and it was making the boy quite worried that someone was going to pass by and hear it. He did need to go and get some food, sure, but that can wait because LOOK! Were there points being added? ... No? Okay, then maybe he could just head over towards the Great Hall. There was no point in standing and staring at a bunch of gemstones.

Just as Alec thought this, someone came out, as if from nowhere, and came to a stop right near him. He turned his head to look over at the new person and then... BLINKED. How was she... what? She was talking, sure, but she was also STRETCHING in, what looked like, intricate ways right near him and the boy couldn't help but stare. How was she able to do that?! "Erm... are you secretly a ballerina?" The words tumbled out before he could stop them, making his eyes widen and his hand slap itself across his mouth.

Moving on... he might as well... answer her questions, yeah? Right. Yeah. Okay. Because staring was creepy. And she had said something about his stomach growling, hadn't she? What a way to make things even more awkward. "Oh, yeah yeah, I'm great! I'm just hungry," he said, grinning at her. It was nice that she cared. Really. "Are you okay, Taylor?" Because he'd bumped into her a couple of times before but hadn't really talked to her before. Why was that again?

... SHE WAS OFFERING FOOD! YES! "Yeah!" he said enthusiastically, "Erm... but first... we need a place to sit, yeah?" They needed somewhere to sit, yeah? He took off his jacket and spread it out onto the floor, making it as even and big as possible. There. "After you," he said, gesturing to the makeshift mat. It'd have to do, yeah?

Taylor looked at Alec and smiled. She giggled at his question and twirled ballerina style. ”Depends on how you define ballerina and secretly.” Tay smiled at him and twisted a blonde curl that was hanging in her face. ”I mean I have been in dance classes ever since I can remember and, yes, some of it was for ballet… but secretly?” Taylor shrugged, ”I doubt that because you can probably catch me dancing or twirling almost every time… I just have a habit of dancing whenever I am happy or excited though if I am depressed, I don’t if you can find me at all since I seem to hide away in my dorm room during those times.” She giggled and smiled at him. Taylor looked at him, tilting her head, ”Oh just hungry?” Tay shrugged, ”That’s good that it isn’t anything too bad.” She beamed a smile at him that went from ear to ear. ”Though, I only have these brownies and some candy for ya... if you want food food you might have to go to the kitchen or at least the tables.” Taylor held out the whole bag to him, so that he can have as many as he want. Tay nodded, ”Yep, perfectly okay… actually better than okay!” She beamed a smile again and twirled a few times in delight, ”I am absolutely amazingly wonderfully awesome right now.” Taylor giggled at his excitement over the brownies and then gave him a sweet smile at the whole jacket thing. Awww, he is such a gentleman! Tay smiled at him and sat where he gestured to, ”Why, thank you, Alec.” Taylor sat at the very edge so that he could also have a seat. She pondered why they didn’t talk… he was such a sweetheart and he seems like he would be a good friend… eh, maybe this will have them talking more… Her thoughts trailed off as she looked at him, ”You’re a hufflepuff with Wade, Nash and Brodie… right?” A big smile appeared as she said Wade’s name then a blush came at Nash’s name and then there was a frown at Brodie’s name. The frown didn’t last that long before she was beaming a smile at him again. At that, Tay got out a bag of mixed candy. There were bertie blotts, fudge, jawbreakers and chocolate frogs as well as other different chocolate things. ”Eat as much as you like of any of them.” Taylor beamed, ”I aint even going to eat a fourth… I was going to give them to friends so…” She shrugged and gestured for him to go right ahead and chow down on the sweets.

Ballerina and secretly? They were actually having a conversation about this and... Alec's eyebrows shot up, impressed. She'd been dancing for YEARS, it seemed. Which meant that she was probably talented, yeah? And what was his talent? ... Exactly. "It's great that you've been dancing for so long! I mean... you could go on to be a professional!" Nodnod. "Erm... I... don't like the idea of people being sad so... if you're ever upset, come to me and I'll... I'll give you a hug?" Maybe that could be his talent...

He nodded, agreeing to the 'nothing too bad' comment. Although, how this could be worse, he didn't know. Maybe a tummy bug? Constipation? ... Ew. ... Moving on. "Well... it's really nice of you to offer so... thanks!" And he grinned to show how happy he was with her offering. And it seemed as if he wasn't the only one who was happy. Man oh man, she was twirling! Actually twirling! The boy took a step back, just so he wouldn't be caught up in the middle of all of that. Who knows, her arm could swing round and slap him round the face and he really didn't want that happening. "I'm glad that you're great! Keep it up, yeah?"

"Anytime!" he said, taking a seat next to her. Ahhh, there. Eh? "How did you know I'm a Hufflepuff?" And there were questions he needed to ask her about... heh. Brodie. And Nash. But that could wait, right? He also didn't miss the way she went from smiling to blushing and then to frowning but... he wasn't going to mention anything. Not yet, anyways. See, he could be stealthy. Maybe. Not really.

... HE WAS IN FOOD HEAVEN! ... Nearly. But look at all this FOOD! "You're REALLY awesome!" he said, grinning widely, "And thanks! I guess this means that we can have a picnic, then?" By the hourglasses. On the floor. Because that was acceptable. "I... you're not hungry?" he asked, helping himself to a brownie or two. ... What? He was hungry!

She tilted her head at the look on his face with the raised eyebrows and being impressed. Tay smiled and nodded, ”Yeah, I guess it is great.” Shock came to her face and she quickly shook her head, ”I am not good enough to be a professional.” Taylor blushed and smiled at the thought though. Ever since she was little, she had wanted to be a professional dancer but now that she was older, Tay knew that she couldn’t be one because she wasn’t good enough… at least she didn’t think she was. Taylor tilted her head and smiled at him, ”Neither do i… I hate whenever people are sad.” Tay pouted at the idea of someone being sad but then beamed at what he said next. She nodded, ”Okay, I will take you up on that.” To prove her point, she gave him a quick and small hug then backed away, twirling in delight and laughing. ”Almost everyone at Hogwarts seems so nice! It is wonderful.” Taylor beamed and looked at him, ”If you ever need cheering up, to rant, or just need a hug, you can always come to me, ok?” Tay shrugged, ”Eh… it aint a big deal.” Tay smiled though, ”Any time.” Taylor nodded, ”Will try to… but my ex is kinda getting on my nerves now.” A pout formed and she sighed, looking away and thinking about Brodie. Why cant exs be friends? I tried to be his friend but… if he is still going to be crushing on me… I rather cut my ties... She sighed and frowned as she kept pondering the situation. Taylor blinked and looked at him. Tay smiled at the 'anytime' then shrugged. "I was just assuming since... you were hanging out with Wade and Nash at the prefects' event... and you guys seemed really close... I just figured..." She gestured then laughed, "Sorry about assuming... I was just trying to be logical... but I guess my reasoning is flawed... though the answer I have gotten from it is true, isn't it?" She tilted her head then smiled, blushing a little out of embarrassment. Me really awesome? What is this guy on? Tay looked at him and shrugged, ”Aint awesome… just trying to be a nice person… and you really should eat something since you might start to feel sick if you don’t…” Concern was in her eyes as she glanced at him but then smiled, ”No problem, anytime I have food and you are hungry, I would always offer my food… or sweets in this case.” She laughed and smiled at him. Taylor shrugged and smiled, ”Guess so… picnics are awesome wherever and whenever.” Tay beamed at him and then shook her head, ”Nah.” She did, however, take a brownie… to be nice and so that she can complement her mom with honesty.

She was saying that she wasn't good enough? What? Did she not SEE how she had danced and twirled her way over here? "But... but..." BLINK. "Of course you are! You just... have to believe in yourself." And he nodded, to show that he was really serious about this comment. "Me too! Es... especially if you can't do anything to help," That was the worst. He did end up grinning at her, though, when she said that she'd take him up on his offer. And even MORE when she commented on people at Hogwarts being nice. "I guess you're right, yeah," he said, "Oh thanks! That's really nice of you." Really.

Her ex. She was talking about her ex. SO, if Alec started questioning, then maybe it might not be seen as him being too forward and nosy. Maybe? Because she was the one who brought it up. ... YEAH. "Erm... what's this ex of yours doing that's getting on your nerves?" And was it the same person Alec was thinking of? Who knew.

The seventeen year old let out a small chuckle before shaking his head. "No no, you assumed right!" he said, grinning, "We were all on the same team last year. And... yeah! Wade and Nash are older than me but I'd say we're all pretty close friends." Dudes. Bros. And he wasn't going to comment on the blush either. Didn't people hate that...? ... "What house are you in, by the way?" Since she knew his house and all.

"Well... you brought food. That makes you instantly awesome!" It was a rule and everything! ... In his books but it still counted! "Well... thanks! And if I have any food, I'd always offer, yeah?" See? This was a two way street. And sharing was caring, too. AND it was only fair since she was sharing food as well. He munched down on the brownie, nodding in agreement at her picnic comment. Nom nom nom... GULP. "These are GREAT!" Cue another large bite of the brownie taken by the Hufflepuff.

Taylor gave him a weird look when he said ‘but…but…’ and then blushed at what he said next. Tay giggled at ‘believe in yourself’. She shook her head, ”I aint good enough to be professional…” Taylor pouted a little, ”I still could tell you at least ten mistakes in the dancing I did as I was coming to here.” Tay gestured and sighed but smiled at him, ”But thanks for the compliment, Alec… It means a lot.” She smiled at him then frowned, nodding at what he said. ”I know right?” A small pout formed, ”That is the worst!” Tay nodded then giggled, ”Of course, Im right… I am a girl after all and girls are always right.” She nodded to confirm that then giggled and winked at him, showing that she was completely joking at that. Taylor blushed and shook her head, ”I am just doing what is right and a good friend would do… and that would to offer comfort whenever it is needed or wanted.”
Taylor looked at him and tilted her head. ”Well… first thing, he apparently still crushing on me even after he broke up with me… I mean, yeah, it was kind of my fault that he had a reason to break up with me but it wasn’t worse than the reason that I have broken up with him the first time… but you probably don’t want to hear the looooooooooooooooong story about either of the break-ups probably…” Tay trailed off and then frowned, a little, thinking of Brodie. ”But anyways… I want to be friends with him… since he is kind of a good person but he still have feelings for me but he is starting to crush on one of my best friend’s friend and… what if he hurts her? I mean I met this friend and I don’t want anything bad to happen since she was very nice…” Tay sighed, ”Now, he is moping around because I told him I don’t want to be his friend if he still likes me…” She looked down and then back up at him, ”Do you think that is wrong? I mean… the part about not wanting to be friends if he is still crushing on me…”
She smiled at his chuckle and then beamed. ”I thought so… it only seemed logical that you were a hufflepuff.” Taylor smiled, ”Oh you and Wade play quidditch too? How delightful!” Tay beamed, ”I love quidditch… I was a reserve for 2 years and then I tried out again this year.” She smiled at him, ”Did you and Wade try-out this year as well?” Yeah, Tay watched the Hufflepuffs’ try-outs but she had only been focused on one certain Hufflepuff. Tay tilted her head and smiled at him, ”They are? Huh… I would have thought you were our age.” Taylor giggled and smiled at him, ”What year are you in then?” She started to twist one of her blonde curls around when he asked about her own house, ”I am a Ravenclaw.” Yep, she was an eagle and she was a proud one too. Taylor giggled as she tapped her fingernails on her knee.
Taylor giggled at what he said and then beamed. ”Oh is that all it takes to be awesome? Bringing food? Then I guess I am always awesome since I seem to bake and my mom keeps sending me goodies like these.” Tay gestured, ”I don’t eat much of them though since they mess up your body… and if I want to keep improving in my dancing, I need to watch out for my body… so yeah…” She laughed and smiled at him. ”Anytime, Alec.” Tay beamed at him then giggled, ”Oh well… thanks for that? I guess?” Taylor laughed. She hadn’t been sure how to reply to that but eh, oh well… it wasn’t like she didn’t appreciate what he said… it was just there… though it had been nice of him and it showed that she thought he was nice for saying that. Taylor half watched him try one of the brownies while she glanced around the room, taking in what was in the place. She smiled as he nodded in agreement at her picnic comment and then beamed at the compliment that he said about the brownies. ”I will be sure to tell Mother that you said that. I am sure she would greatly appreciate it a lot, Alec.” Tay made a mental note to put it in the letter she was going to write to her mom once she made her way back up to the Ravenclaw girls’ dorm.
Taylor started to wonder why they haven’t talked much or hung out. They knew basically the same people, didn’t they? So how come they haven’t ran into each other as much or even got to know each other? This was basically their first real conversation and Taylor was starting to think that Alec would make a fantastic friend. She tilted her head and looked at him though not really at him but more like through him as she grew deeper into her thoughts. She pondered about her thoughts for a few moments and then came back to the conversation with a smile, ”So tell me about yourself… backstory… funny stories… anything.” Tay genuinely looked interested to know more about him. Taylor didn’t expect that he would ask in return nor did she start to prepare just in case… because she was only focused on him and it showed. Taylor loved learning about people. It was something she had gotten from her mother… one of the few things she was like her mother about. She didn’t like being compared to her mother and she didn’t like saying she had things in common with her… though she did appreciate her mother… just grew up without her so it was a little weird that the past 6 years, she had a mother suddenly… and she had a stepdad… then they got a divorce then her mother remarried again… so it had been super confusing and caused Taylor a lot of stress… even just thinking about it. Taylor shook her head, clearing her thoughts and re-focused on Alec again.

Alec understood why people would say that they weren't good enough for things because he felt like that all too often but... what he didn't understand was the mention of the mistakes. "Are you kidding me?!" he asked incredulously, "That looked great to me!" But... he was no dance expert so... yeah. "Anytime!" ... What Taylor said next made Alec let out a small chuckle. "Oh yeah? What else are girls right about?" Also girls. And their winks. Those things were DANGEROUS. "Well... I know that when you're upset, it's... it's nice to know that someone's there for you." Nodnod.

... BLINK. It was times like these that he realised that people had a lot of relationship-type problems while his only problem was... heh. Jelaousy. Mainly from him. Alec's eyebrows shot up when Taylor launched into her story, his mouth hanging open slightly. This was a long story and really, the boy didn't mind at all but... he wasn't sure how helpful he could be. "Erm... okay," he said, reaching up a hand and ruffling his hair, "So he has mixed feelings for you and some other girl? And you're scared he's going to hurt the other girl... erm... did he hurt you?" ... Was it wrong? Alec shook his head. "No... erm... I mean, he still likes you, yeah? And you not being friends with him is just... going to help him to let go, yeah? So... no. No, I don't think it's wrong." SMILE.

Logical! Nodnod. "Yeah... I think the Sorting Hat took next to no time in sorting me into Hufflepuff," Even if he did ask for Gryffindor because of reasons. Fun fact right there. ... Too? Did she play Quidditch as well? Heh. His question was answered by the blonde haired girl, though. "That's awesome that you play! And good luck for this year?" Now he had someone else to cheer on during Ravenclaw matches, yeah? Yeah! "Yeah, we did! He's played for the past... two years? And me, five," Apart from that time in second year but... he had played a game back then. Did that count? .. Their age. Heh. "Yeah? What made you think that?" Did he look older? Was that it? "I'm a sixth year! And you?" Although, he had a funny feeling that she probably wasn't in his year. Probably. "That explains the logic!" GRIN.

"I... yeah! Is that bad?" he asked, grinning sheepishly. Although, he hoped not! It was practically one of his rules; anyone who was willing to share good food was awesome. Nodnod. "Really? What kind of things do you bake?" Cakes? Brownies? COOKIES? ... WAIT. The watching what you eat thing was understandable, yeah, but the inquisitive Hufflepuff had some questions about this. "But... you'd still be able to have pizza, right?" Important question, this was. Tag would approve. ... And... he was actually surprise that the girl could understand what he was saying. Or maybe not. Whatever. He grinned at the blonde before finishing off the brownie he had been holding in his hand. "Awesome! Tell her she's a great cook!" Because these were GOOD.

... Pause. She... wanted to know about him? FUNNY STORIES? Did he even have any? And if he did, how was he meant to say these stories without sounding like the most awkwardest being to have ever walked the earth? Which he probably was. Great. "Erm..." The seventeen year old cleared his throat. "Well... I'm Alec Blake Summers. Erm... I'm an only child and I live with my Dad who's a vet." This was not funny. He was practically telling her his life story and his life was far from interesting. "I don't crack open eggs, I smash them." This was legit. Yeah.

She gave him a weird look and tilted her head. Tay shook her head and frowned, ”No… Im not kidding you…” Taylor wrinkled her nose and then blushed at what he said. She sent him a beaming smile, ”Well, thank you, Alec… You are such a sweetheart!” She was beaming and her greenish- blue eyes sparkled in joy.”[/b] Tay gave him a sweet smile at the ‘anytime’ then giggled as he let out a small chuckle. ”Yep and um… we are right about people being a sweetheart.” She smirked and giggled. Taylor smiled from ear to ear, showing off her pearly whites. Tay nodded, ”That is true… always nice to know that you got someone there for ya when you are down.” Man, Alec is so fun to talk to! Taylor beamed at that thought.

She nodded at his question, ”Yeah, he does… at least that is what he is making it seem… I just hope that he doesn’t hurt anyone…” Tay looked away, a bit sad, then looked back up at him. Taylor nodded, ”Yeah, he hurt me… when we first started dating… he, apparently, was dating another girl, which I didn’t know about at the time… and he was only dating me for my money so that he could spoil the other girl.” Taylor pouted, ”Then after a while, we got back together, for some odd reason, and now we are broken up again…” Tay gave a light smile as he said that he didn’t think it was wrong that she didn’t really want to be friends with Brodie right now. Taylor hugged him, ”Thanks… sorry for letting me rank a little.” She blushed and looked down, smiling.

Taylor giggled and beamed, ”I can see why it wouldn’t… I mean you are simply one of the sweetest people I have met.” Tay smiled at him, ”The sorting hat didn’t take much time to sort me either… though I think it got me wrong… I mean I aint that smart…” Taylor blushed. Tay beamed as he saild that it was awesome that she played, ”Thanks and same goes to you guys.” Her eyes started to spark in joy. ”Oh, that is so cool!” Taylor really thought that and then she giggled at his question. Tay shrugged, “Mostly because of how mature you act as well as how you hang out with older people.”[/b] She smiled, ”Oh, sixth year? That isn’t too bad.” Taylor giggled, ”I’m a seventh year.” She laughed at what he said, ”Guess so.”

Taylor shook her head and then smiled, ”Nah, it isn’t bad… just interesting.” Tay smiled and giggled She shrugged, ”Well, I make cakes, cookies, brownies, fudge, pies, and different candies.” Taylor laughed, ”So basically anything that I put my mind too.” She raised an eyebrow, giggling. ”Yes, I still be able to eat pizza… I mean I do indulge sometimes, ya know? I mean… it would be just silly if I just completely denied myself anything…” Taylor nodded, ”Okay, will do…” She beamed at him.

She listened to what he was saying, ”I like your name. It is nice sounding.” Tay pouted, ”Yeah, lucky! I wish I was an only child.” Taylor sighed and looked down then beamed up at him again. At the word ‘dad’ she tried to hide her pout and sadness. Tay tried to hold back her tears at that one word. Hurt from his death still came when she thought about it. She faked a whole beaming smile, trying not to cry though the smile might have seem faked… well, it was faked but still... ”That’s cool that your dad is a vet…” There wasn’t a word about his mom… Was she dead or was they just divorced? Taylor burst into giggles and she raised her eyebrows at that fact, ”Really? That is… erm… interesting.” Tay couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of it, ”That sounds fun, to be honest.”

What was it that Lucas had told him? Something like, there was a method to his madness? It sounded really fancy, but Benzi did quite like the meaning behind the phrase. Had he understood correctly, which the Ravenclaw was quite sure he did.

Sticking to the shadows, Benzi Rider walked slowly past the open doors and into the hall. His shoulders, bunched from the cold, relaxed slightly as the heat of the castle eased his shivering almost instantly. He did not however, come out to the torchlight. NOPE. He was spying. He was on a very important reconsnaincance mission. Or however you said that word.

He took in the hall, getting the feel of it. The corners, the ceiling, the lights, doors, stones.. Quite ordinary really - not what he was looking for. Shame. SUCH potential. He sighed. He'd just have to keep looking then. About to head on upstairs to continue his very important mission, brown eyes found the hourglass and he scowled. How was it that the smart people house was THIRD place?!

Benzi suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. He would lose points over this, right? He would most definitely lose points should he get caught. Bleh. Crossing his arms, he internally debated what to do with this pesky little guilty feeling he was having. He HAD to do this. It was a matter of UTMOST IMPORTANCE. But he also didn't want to lose Ravenclaw points. STRUGGLES.

... OH! Homework. He'll go do a ton of really good homework and get good marks, and then they'll give him housepoints and he won't feel guilty. PERFECT. A little pleased with himself, Benzi skipped the stairs two at a time and made for his common room. Of course, he wasn't even halfway there when the eleven year old suddenly realised the magnitude of his decision - holidays were approaching. He had a MOUNTAIN of homework.

Dangnabbit.