Kat was aware about the new groundskeeper. So her first thing to do for today (besides sign up for Quidditch, of course) is take a look at the grounds. Wonder what this Cantwell fella had in store for the awesome students of Hogwarts and make sure he had reached her expectations. And yes, Kat always had expectations... either from a new Professor or a new Staff member. Making her way to the grounds, she noticed that nothing much did change. Still the grass was green. Still they had that duck pond. Still they had the tree house.

But then... Kat squinted.

Was that the Maize Maze from two terms ago? Were her eyes deceiving her or was this all real? To make sure of that, Kat went towards the maze. Oh Merlin, it was real! Mr. Cantwell dude was officially awesome, no doubt. Surely he didn't want the Head Girl lost in there, right? If she did get lost (not that it would happen), he was going to pay for it. Yep.

First order of business the morning after the feast before classes was exploring the grounds. Her and Hudson talked about how they were both doing the same and well ariana had already been to the lae so this area was next except, she didnt know what this was. "what is this place?" she said seeing some girl up ahead of her. She wasnt sure what she was standing in front of but maybe this other girl did. She approached the girl and stood on her right. "oh, Hudson, sup?" funny running into her here. But no really what was this hudson, tell us!

Maiiizzee Mazzee. Cat loved everything about this, even just saying Maize Maze was fun, right? She had carried Sharky down from the castle and the whole while the kitten had been squirming and mowing in her ear, wanting to be put down. She even started nomming on Cat's hair at one point. Impatient little thing. She needed to learn manners.

Plus, she wanted Sharky to see the maze. Bet Sharky could find her way through before anyone else. She was smart.

A maaaaaaze! Adi loved mazes! Plus, this one was even better- a Maize Maze! Catchy name! Adi eyed the maze. He was totally sure he could find his way out in no time. Well maybe, he would take some time but he'd get out in time.

He eyed the students milling around. Only older girls; no one his age. Ah well. He could do this by himself!

Taylor stood a few feet away from the entrance of the maize maze, debating whether or not she should go in and try it. Tay thought it looked fun but it would be more fun with someone else... She adjusted her heels so that they weren't as loose and started to play with her necklace and bracelet. She liked wearing the eagle jewelry at Hogwarts since her house's mascot... was eagles, of course, though she did wonder why eagles since ravens were in the name but still... she likes eagles better anyways. Taylor brushed her curls and smiled, looking at the entrance though she shifted her weight onto her other leg and wondered at the difficulty of the maze. Tay loved corn mazes and she was excited... but she might just head up to her dorm if one of her friends didn't show up since they were way more fun when you have friends.

Caleb had decided to do a bit of exploring before classes started. After all, he needed to know his way around the school so he wouldn't get lost! The last thing he wanted was to be late to one of his classes. That'd be so embarrassing and he would not stand for it.

His little adventure took him to the grounds, and he immediately spotted what looked like a cornfield in the middle of the grounds. Curious, he went to investigate and found that there was a MAZE built into the corn. Cool! A corn maze in the middle of the Hogwarts grounds!

That was certainly something you didn't see everyday.

Just then another student arrived. Adi remembered seeing him during the boat ride and at the Sorting. "Hi!'' he called to the kid. "What's up?''

Adi was on the look out to make loads of new friends. So maybe this guy could be his friend? "I'm Aditya but you can call be Adi.'' Grin.

Caleb heard someone yell out to him and he turned around. He didn't know this kid, but he seemed to be friendly. EVERYONE here was so friendly! Caleb really didn't know why Sophie was so paranoid about the Slytherins and everyone else stabbing her in the back. These people were all cool!

"Hiya Adi, I'm Caleb," he said with a smile. "You a first year too?" he asked. He looked to be about his age.

The seventh year looked up to see where he was going, he had heard last term that they change the grounds every once in a while but the lake is always there and some other stuff too. Nashville looked back up a couple seconds later and noticed a MAZE! Wait! They spelt maze wrong.

MAIZE OR MAZE?!

Nashville thought for a moment. Maybe just maybe he should try this place out. But there was nobody to go wi-. OH. MY. GAWD. Scratch that, there was someone very beautiful to go with! Nashville grinned a stupid love sick puppy grin. Nashville walked up to the Ravenclaw, he rubbed the back of his neck out of nerves. "...'Ello, beautiful. You wanna go in the maze with me?" Nashville's whole face turned red when he spoke to Taylor.

Taylor looked up, wondering who was calling who beautiful when she saw that it was Nash and he was talking to her. An instant blush came to her face and she looked behind her, just making sure he was talking to her. Tay was surprised that he was calling her beautiful. She didn't think that she was beautiful... but just average looking. Taylor just thought blonde hair and greenish-blue eyes were just plain. Tay smiled at him though and replied, "Hey..." She was trying to keep from blushing but she couldn't help but think about how cute he looked rubbing the back of his neck as well as his face being red... from blushing? Taylor nodded and smiled at him, "I would love too. I was just thinking of leaving since I decided that it wouldn't be fun if nobody went with me but now that you are here..." She shifted her weight, brushing her curls behind her ear and blushing. "I think it would be fun..." Taylor looked up at him and smiled. "You sure you don't mind going with me though? There are probably other people who you might have more fun with than me..." Please... don't agree to that... please... please... please... I want to do the maze with you... so please don't agree with me on that... please stay... Taylor didn't show that she was begging him to stay in her mind. She tilted her head, waiting to hear what his response would be before moving from her spot.

So he did say what he thought he said! But...but what if she just left after he said that and then he would have to go in the maze alone and bored out of his mind BUUUUT she didn't leave and that made Nashville relax a bit but he was still blushing pretty badly. So she wasn't going to leave but wait. Nashville looked at her and rubbed the back of his neck again. "I would love to join you, it would be loads of fun!" Nashvilled smiled softly at the Ravenclaw. Nashville began to walk towards the entrance.

She tried to hold back a giggle at the blushing boy. Tay twirled in delight as he said he would love to go with her into the maze. Taylor tried not to melt at his cute and absolutely adorable smile. She started to walk beside him but couldnt help but look over at him, "Do you really think I am beautiful or do you greet all of the girls you know that way?" Tay truely wanted to know if it was just her or if he was this sweet on every single girl he knew. Taylor was kinda hoping for just her but if he did it to every girl, she would still probably melt as well since it shows that he is kind and sweet and wants to make whichever girl he was talking to at the moment, feel special. Taylor blushed at her thoughts and glanced at the entrance that was getting closer and closer. She smiled and laughed, looking at him and tapping his shoulder. "You're it." She giggled and started to run into the maze, hoping he would chase her. Tay would feel stupid if he didnt because that would be absolutely embarrassing. You might not think she could run in the heels she was wearing but the blonde was actually pretty fast in them from a lot of practice. She ducked into a deadend and hid, waiting to see if he had chased or if he thought it was too stupid.

His big brown eyes kept moving towArds Taylor as he walked next to her, it was hard for him to NOT look at her and he had to pay attention to where he was going so he didn't trip and fall on his face aNd make a damn fool out of himself. He didn't want to trip or anything...at least not in front of Taylor, that would be horrible. Did she just ask that. "I have never said that to anyone before, it was the firsT time." Nashville answered truthfully. "I mean unless you want me to take it back and not call you that anymore...then...then I understand." Even if he had to take it back he wouldn't, not in his heart because she IS beautiful on the outside and inside. 'You're it?' Nashville repeated that in his mind and then watched her run off into the mAze.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

For the fiRst few seconds Nashville was confused but then he understood what he was doing. Two would have to play at this game. He would have to chase her, no, he wanted to chase her. Before Nashville knEw it he was running at his top speed to catch up to Taylor, a stupid grin was on his face, he was getting closer and closer to her. Once Nashville was close enough he managed to get his arms around her waiSt. He was breathing a bit heavy now. "Gottcha." He smiled brightly, still blushing.

OOOOOOOOOOOH. A maze. A maize maze, to be exact.

That seemed fun.

Bristol approached it, all excited grinning and anticipation. She wanted to go in NOW, but she should probably wait for someone else to go in with her. All good adventures included a friend, right? There weren't as fun alone. At least not in her opinion. That and the fact that everyone else seemed to be waiting for someone else to join them, so it just seemed right.

"Hellooooo!? ANYONE!?!?"

Puppy eyes all around.

While Caleb was waiting for Adi to respond, he noticed someone familiar nearby. OOOOH! That was the girl he'd almost trampled over in Diagon Alley! He stood up and waved her over.

"Hey Bristol!!" he called. "How's your head?" he added with a joking grin. Hopefully fine now that it'd been like, over a week since their collision.

Taylor looked at him and blushed, "Really?" She was shocked and at what he said next, she shook her head, "No.. no... I actually kinda like it." Tay blushed even more, "I mean... it is nice of you to call me that..." She tried to hide her blush but it could still be seen. Taylor had a huge smile on her face though. Tay loved how Nash called her beautiful and how it was the first time that he ever called someone that. It made her feel special and had her beaming in joy from ear to ear.
Tay felt arms wrapping around her waist and she squealed. Taylor twirled just enough so that she can face him. She looked up at Nash with a huge smile on her face. Taylor burst into a fit of giggles. Tay nodded, "That you do..." She didnt try to wiggle out of his arms or anything, just stayed where she was at . She liked being in his arms. There was just something about him that made it feel safe to be in them. "You are a faster runner." Taylor looked up at him and couldnt help but notice that he was smiling which made her beam even more. Her arms went up and wrapped lightly around his neck without her thinking. She blinked and realized what she had done. Tay wasnt sure whether she should pull away or stay like that so she decided to take her cue from him on what to do by how he reacts to her arms around his neck.

It would seem that he calling out and puppy dog eyes had paid off, because soon enough someone called her over and she joined them. YAY FOR PEOPLES. Or persons. Singular, obviously. "Why, hellooooo, Caleb," she replied and grinned. "My head's all better now, thanks," she added. Bristol wanted to stick out her tongue for affect, but she knew that some people found that offensive, so she just stuck with her lovely and wide grin.

"So, is it maze time?"

The feast was over, and Sophie was all settled in. Classes still hadn't really gotten underway, so she had a little time to get out and see what this castle was all about. She decided to start out on the grounds, since she'd been in the castle for a while now and pretty much had seen a lot of it.

Outdoors, though? She'd heard there were loads of things to do outdoors, and since she was curious as to what that was, she decided to see for herself. Where she ended up at looked like a bunch of...well, corn. She eyed it up and down, trying to figure out the point of it all being here. She didn't imagine Hogwarts as a place where lots of produce was grown. Still, there were a lot of people here, so...there had to be some good to it.

Whoa. This was a lot of maize.

Blake had decided to go on a bit of a tour of the castle, especially the grounds, before classes got underway. He wanted to find the optimal places for playing with his basketball. Preferably, somewhere that was flat and hard, like stone or concrete. This Maize Maze had neither of those, but it was still pretty awesome.

Before heading in, Blake took a look to his left and right and he was glad that he did. "Sophie! Hey Sophie," he called, waving an arm in the arm to catch her attention.

Sophie was still eyeing the entrance to this maze. She wasn't really sure if she wanted to just step right in without having ever been told exactly what was in there! It could be a SPHINX! Or...something. Wasn't it the Gryffindors who were supposed to just jump right into these things?

Maybe she could just go in with somebody...

Almost as if it was on cue, someone called out to her, and she turned to see Blake, the boy she'd rode the boat with on her very first day. "Oh, hey, Blake. I was wondering where you ended up. I never saw you again after that boat ride," she said. Where did he end up anyway? House-wise? Eyeing his tie, she said, "Ravenclaw, hmm?"

Happy that he had captured Sophie's attention, Blake slid his hands into pockets and approached. "We did get sort of separated, huh? I guess it is safe to assume that we didn't end up in the same house," he chuckled. Ah well, it didn't matter to him. Surely they would get to hang out a few more times over the term.

Eh? Blake followed her gaze and looked at his tie. "Oh, yeah, I got into Ravenclaw. We'll see how this goes for the next week or so...Do you know if they take house transfer requests?" Blake chuckled again and shrugged. "What about you? Did you get your wish?"

Adi headed over to the boy. "Nice to meet you, Caleb,'' he said with a smile and held out his hand. "Yep, I am!'' He remembered seeing the kid being sorted. Slytherin, if Adi remembered correctly. He knew they had only been in their respective Houses for a short time but he asked anyway. "Enjoying Slytherin House?''

The firstie turned to glance back at the Maze. "You game to try finding the exit?'' he asked excitedly. Oh, this was something he could hardly wait to do!

Sophie smirked in amusement and nodded. "I didn't even end up in the same house as any of the people in that boat," she said, remembering there'd been a second boy in there, as well. At least, if he had ended up in Slytherin with her, she hadn't seen him yet. Come to think of it, she couldn't even remember what he looked like. She did a mental shrug. It didn't really matter, she guessed.

"Transfer requests? I don't think so," she said with a grin. "Why? Where'd you want to go?" She couldn't imagine ending up in a house she didn't like. Seven years--your whole Hogwarts career--and you didn't even get the house you wanted. Her look turned to one of pride then. "I did. I'm a Slytherin."

"Sorry about that again," Caleb chuckled. He was serious, he still felt bad since she'd seemed so out of it after he hit her. But never fear! She was better now. He smiled and turned to the maze.

"Yup, sounds good to me...so, where did you end up being sorted? I was so nervous I missed half the ceremony" he admitted with a smile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Adi headed over to the boy. "Nice to meet you, Caleb,'' he said with a smile and held out his hand. "Yep, I am!'' He remembered seeing the kid being sorted. Slytherin, if Adi remembered correctly. He knew they had only been in their respective Houses for a short time but he asked anyway. "Enjoying Slytherin House?''

The firstie turned to glance back at the Maze. "You game to try finding the exit?'' he asked excitedly. Oh, this was something he could hardly wait to do!

He shook his hand with a grin. This kid had good manners. He liked that.

"Oh, yeah, it's pretty awesome. Definitely the right fit," he said with a grin. "Where did you get sorted?" he asked. He had been so distracted on his own sorting that he had no idea where half of his classmates had ended up.

He smiled and turned toward the maze. "Yup, sounds good to me! Shouldn't be too hard..." he said.

Were they allowed to blast their way through it?