Lucas was going to burst. There was so much information buzzing in his brain he was pretty sure he was going to start ranting about topiary types and the meaning of runes at ANY SECOND. It was so noisy in his mind that he'd literally dropped his books on his bed and sprinted for the grounds like his life had depended on it. He was exhausted. Puffing like a asthmatic, he sat, spreadeagled down by the lake and sighed.

Ugh. This sucked.

Christmas smiled at Adelaide and said "Well i think you should talk to the one professor your comfortable to talk about your future to"

Hannah had, had about all of the attitude that she could take. She had half a nerve to hex him on the spot and go on about her business like she did last term. She knew that wasn't what she should do though. She took a deep breath in and tried to calm herself down. She was not going to let Adi get the best of her again. Hannah could not lose her cool.

Blah, blah, blah. Threats and more threats. Did Adi honestly think that he couldn't threaten her and she would just be okay with it? Like she would stop being Hannah or something? She ignored all of his threats and complaints and followed him to the rock. "I don't plan on going away any time soon you know." Hannah always ended up getting her way and she was determined for them to be okay. All she saw in the boy was her younger brother who she was very protective of and she was going to make things right.

Hannah was going to leave him alone for sure now. Yep. Adi happily perched Gus on the sandy ground and jumped up on the rock where he was sitting the first time. And turning to face the Lake is when he noticed the Slytherin girl still there. Grrr. Go away! he wanted to shout.

Exhaling exasperatedly, the second year eyed her suspiciously. "And why is that?'' Gosh, did she have something up her sleeve for him? He'd need to keep a close eye on her. Yes. "I'm watching you, Hannah Lockwood!''

She was starting to think that Adi didn't want to have anything to do with her and Hannah couldn't understand why. He practically stalked her last year, and now... nothing. Okay, so she hexed him but they were beyond that now. Wasn't the whole reason why he put that nasty frog on her anyways?

"Because I want to know that we are okay." They didn't have to be besties or anything, but she really needed to know that he didn't hate her anymore. "Have you been listening to what I have been saying?" She practically apologized to him a minute ago. Did he have to spell everything out for him? "You can watch me all you want, but I promise that I don't have ulterior motives." So he could watch her all he wanted to.

Adi turned his attention to the Lake but keeping Hannah in his peripheral vision. He wasn't going too be caught off guard...for whatever she's planning. Hearing her speak again, he decided to humour her. Were they okay? He didn't know. He wanted them to be okay since last term. Instead, he just shrugged. "Why? I thought you didn't like me, anyway.''

How dumb did Hannah think he was? Of course he heard what she said. He was just skeptical of her motives, that's all. He was confused now. Why her sudden niceness? Where was mean Hannah? "If you say so,'' Adi replied even more skeptical and confused.

True, true. Hannah didn't like Adi at first and she was definitely not a fan of the house of hufflepuff, but a lot of things had happened to her over the summer. She made really good friends with Laura, whom she once hated, and now look at them. "I feel kind of bad for what I did to you." Maybe he really didn't deserve it. "I see my little brother in you and it makes me feel bad every time I see you." Like she had hexed little Alex.

Adi still didn't seem to believe her. "What do I have to do to prove it to you?" The fact that she hadn't done anything after the frog fiasco should be proof enough. "I really just want to clear the air and move on with my life." If Adi didn't want to be friends then that was his choice. All she really craved for right now was forgiveness.

Yes, she mentioned she felt bad before but what really got Adi's attention was the whole little brother thing. There! He learnt something about her family. So maybe her brother was his age? He found this all interesting. "Really?'' he asked, squinting at her as if trying to look into her mind to see if she was lying. But his suspicions aside, he supposed he could forgive her. After all, wasn't putting Gus on her enough punishment?

But not before he had some fun. Adi quickly came up with an idea at Hannah's next words. "Welllll, You could go swimming in the Lake. Just a few strokes, that's all. Oh and you have to keep Gus perched on your head all the while.'' He smirked. Hey, she asked. "You do that and the air will be crystal clear.'' He gave her a wide smile.

Waiting what seemed like forever to see if Adi was going to forgive her it started to seem like he was coming around. Hannah could tell by his body language and face that he was budging... if only a little bit, it was still a budge. Was he sizing her up? Did he think that she would just make something like that up? "What are you thinking?" The one word that he finally spit out confirmed it. He thought she was lying. "Of course. I have a younger brother and sister." Hannah also had an older brother, but that really didn't have much to do with anything.

Then Adi asked the unthinkable. "You want me to do what?" Had this kid officially lost his mind? "Oh no, no, no, no, nooo way." there was absolutely no way that she was going to be okay with that. "Can't we just pinky promise that I will never be mean to you again or something?" She did not want that toad anywhere near her again. Hannah eyed the toad as if he was the one to come up with this absurd idea!

Okay. Fine. Adi was going to forgive her and they would be "okay". But he wasn't going to tell Hannah that. Not yet at least. Not when he could have a bit of fun at her expense. It was her fault this whole thing started in the first place, anyway. "Good to know,'' he said mildly. His mind on his diabolical plan.

And just as he figured, Hannah protested. But he wasn't about to back down. "You heard me. A few strokes in the Lake with Gus on your head.'' Inside, Adi was dieing to burst into laughter at Hannah's reaction but with great difficulty he managed to hold onto his serious and innocent expression. "Or if you want you can just forget about it and every time you see me you'll think what what your could have done to you little brother.'' Her choice.

When she turned around, she saw that Jun was just standing there and realized that maybe this wasn't exactly okay for him? She didn't really understand why he was so tense though, it wasn't like he was going to end up in the water from all the way up here....unless he somehow rolled and couldn't stop himself and fell in...BUT THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. He was perfectly safe on top of the hill so there was no reason for him to be freaking out.

He didn't say it wasn't okay to be here though so maybe this was his way of facing his fear? Even though there really wasn't any reason for him to be scared right now. She sat down next to where he was lying and watched him from the corner of her eye. "Right. Because this is relaxing and all." And even though Jun was clearly trying to relax, it didn't seem to be working for him. She poked his side and waited to see if he'd open his eyes. "Y'know, we can go somewhere else? I didn't think this would bother you up here but..." She shrugged then without finishing her sentence. Maybe he just seemed tense to her?

It was good to know. Come to think of it Hannah never really did go around telling people about herself. This was the first bit of information that she had given Adi at all. Hannah nodded her head at him and focused on the toad and continued to glare at him.

"No way." Sure, she wanted forgiveness and for all to be well and forgotten, but she had no intentions of getting into that lake with the frog on her head. No only would it be gross and humiliating to herself, but what it others saw it? That would be awful and Hannah was just not going to put herself in that position. Nope! "How about a compromise?" He really should give her that much. "I mean technically we are both even anyways right?" She hexed him, and he put that disgusting toad on her. "What if I pet your disg... err... frog and apologize to him?" This was something that Hannah Lockwood didn't do, and Adi should feel very important and special right about now.

Adi couldn't help it anymore. He grinned. He knew Hannah wouldn't agree to his idea. But her suggestion of compromise didn't sound too bad. He pretended to think over the idea. "I'm thinking a bout it. I dunno...'' He trailed off, staring hard at Hannah. He really wanted to throw in kissing Gus but would that be too much? Girly Hannah here did obviously did not like toads so he figured kissing Gus was out of the question.

"Fine, fine,'' Adi finally told her. He jumped down and jogged off after his toad which had hopped a bit away. He gently grabbed Gus and brought him over to Hannah. "Here,'' he said and thrust Gus in front of her face. "Look deep into Gus's toady eyes and apologise. Don't forget to pet him lovingly.'' Adi sniggered.

Skipping little pebbles into the lake, Lux felt very happy and serene. It was a nice day out for this time of year, so she had her bare feet in the water and it felt really nice and soothing.

Skipping another pebble along, she spotted a boy run across, puffing loudly before sitting down. What on earth was wrong with him? Was he having a mental breakdown or something.

Wading out of the water, she approached him. "Are you alright?"

Lucas had spotted the girl, all bright hair and disobeying clear normality by stepping out into the water. Hadn't she read Hogwarts, A History? There was a SQUID in there. These crazy people had even named him. Henry. He snorted inwardly, still breathing in staggered intervals and red in the face. He, in his eternal absent-mindedness, hadn't noticed the girl walking towards him, concern plastered all over her face Lucas realised he must be acting weirder than usual. Weirder for him, anyway.

"Huh, oh, uh, yeah." He sucked in a breath and grimaced. "It was just there's a lot of classes and stuff, I got a bit, uh, panicked." Realising he'd basically just told her that he'd gotten freaked out about something as trivial as classes and she was a girl and was probably going to judge him. Hard. He backtracked and fast. "Not panicked, panicked. Just like.. " Oh man, this was just getting like too much information for a pretty stranger. "I'm Lucas," he interrupted his own rambling and got up to stick a hand out to her. "And I'm all good."

Frankly, this boy was worrying Lux slightly. He seemed all....as if he was going to start laughing manically or rock back in forth slightly. It made her a little worried. "Well, maybe take deep breaths?" she offered helpfully when he explained he was stressed. Maybe he was either new to the school like she was, or he just did not do well under any form of pressure. "Nice to meet you, Lucas. I'm Lux."

Think happy thoughts.

Sweets.
Candy.
Uggie.
Umm...

Jun tried not to focus on the large body of water that was only a few yards from them. At least he wasn't too near them. This was going to be his spot for whenever he was dragged here. And no one would take him closer. Or he would probably hex in into the lake. "For you it's relaxing and all," he mumbled and shifted a bit. No need to think about the large lake he could drown in. Though, Jun was sure Lolli wouldn't push him in. She knew how he felt about water. Same way she would feel if something happened to her lollipops.

Jun shook his head, opening his eyes and turning towards Lolli. "No, I'll be fine. Just as long as we don't head any closer," he added a nod to that and sat up. Yeah, this was going to be his spot from now on.

Lucas tried to figure out what the quizzical look on the girls face meant but the only conclusion he could come to was that he was really unfit. All of the treacle he ate at every dinner was taking a toll; the lack of football too. Not that it showed on his lanky frame. He pouted and nodded, reluctantly. "S'just hot," he explained and did as she suggested. It helped, too. He didn't feel like he was going to overheat so much. Hm. "Smart," he mumbled, "you like an expert on uh, panic attacks?" And then he grinned sheepishly at the greeting. "Lux? Whoah." He nodded, impressed. "That is a coooool name."

His eyes dropped to her wet feet and he eyed her quizzically. "Not afraid of the giant squid then, huh?"

Was he seriously thinking this over as if he had a choice? There was no way that Hannah was going to do anything more than that. He should consider himself very luck that she even agreed to do anything more than push him in the lake for that stunt he pulled on her. "You're thinking about it huh?" He could take it or leave it at this point.

"I thought you'd see it my way." Did he expect her to never be snarky again? That was who Hannah was as a person so he would just have to get used to that little fun fact. The seventh year tried to reason to herself that it was just a frog and she had nothing to worry about it. She would get this done quickly and move on with her life. All would be well. Before she had time to blink the toad was in her face... a little too close for comfort actually. Hannah flinched and tried to play it off. She closed her eyes one last time and looked as lovingly as she possibly could into the nasty beady eyes and said. "I'm sorry Mr. Toad. Please forgive me." There that had to be convincing. She timidly reached her hand to touch him and had to hold in a scream. Hannah petted the frog and cringed all the while. "There, did I pass?" Could she burn off her hands now?

Adi ignored Hannah's smart mouth attitude. He was sort of used to it. Frankly, he didn't care if she was his friend or not anymore. She ruined his attempts in the first place so he would take how long he wanted to give a reply. Oh yes, Miss Lockwood.

He was however, smirking at her reaction. He knew toads made her uncomfortable and who knows how many more creatures. Adi waited as the Slytherin gathered her wits. "Come on, Hannah,'' he said, smirking even more. "It's not that hard.'' And finally, she made a move on. Adi had to press his lips together to prevent himself from enveloping in a fit of laughter. It was her reaction while petting Gus that threatened the laughter. "There. See? That wasn't so bad was it?'' Gus, it seemed felt the same for the toad opened his mouth, released his long tong and licked Hannah spot on the cheek. That was Adi's undoing; he started laughing. "Hahahaha! I didn't put him up to that. He did it on his own.'' But way to go Gus-man! Hehe.

"So, we're good now,'' Adi continued after sobering up. He held out a hand. How about they start over?

Emma nodded, taking in every word he said. "Well, it's always good to take an experience like that and turn in into a lesson learned, your father is very wise." She smiled, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to get some of the mud off of them.

"Yeah, I suppose that's true..." She replied softly. Emma wasn't sure what she'd have done in that sort of situation. She'd always wanted siblings, so separation like that would have been hard on her.

Emma laughed. "Well, Michael... you'd be surprised. It's actually not unusual for us 'Claws to not be the best at academics. Because it’s not about the grade for us; it’s about the knowledge we gain, and whether we even consider that knowledge interesting enough to bother with..." She countered back, smiling lazily.

And then he began teasing her about chocolate frogs. Blasphemy. "They're my favorite! Shame on you for not seeing the beauty that is a simple chocolate frog!" She giggled, increasing her speed in a halfhearted attempt to catch up. "No fair! You have longer legs!"

At least the boy was taking her suggestion and it seemed to be helping some, as he did not have that same glint in his eyes as he had a few moments ago. "I've had my share of them. Like when thinking of getting on a broom." Tessa had advised her to take deep breaths and try to relax, and it had worked for her so she had assumed it would help the boy too. "Thanks, I like yours too. It's rather normal, but still nice."

Turning her gaze back to the lake when he asked her about the giant squid, she shrugged slightly. "He could be friendly. Or more scared of you than you are of him." Nod.

Was he an awesome boyfriend? Cat just grinned, a very cheesy sort of grin at that. The grin was answer enough, probably, but Cat was going to reply anyway. "He's the best boyfriend." For sure. The best.

Ahem. Okay. Stop grinning, Caterina. Stop. "That's okay though, you don't have to have one." She laid back and cushioned her head with her hands, watching Delilah from the ground. "Miami! I've always wanted to go there. Is it lovely? I love the beach." And mermaid watching.

Charlotte really wanted to help him feel more comfortable where they were but she didn't think holding his hand would help him any really -- it always helped her little brother, Mason. He was right though, the lake and everything looked so pretty from on top of that little hill and it wasn't too cold out yet and she could just lay out here all day long and relax if she got the chance, maybe one day when Jun wasn't with her? Unless he learned to stop being so tense when this close to a body of water.

"If you say so.." She still watched him though, trying to read him somehow (she was never really good at reading people). "If you decide you want to leave though, we can." Charlotte gave him a small smile and then turned back to look at the water and attempt remembering the password, once again.

Maybe it had to do with a sort of animal? Or....some magical candy or...

Nope. She still wasn't getting anything. The password was lost.

Jun began to relax a bit more when he stopped thinking about the water. With the fall breeze passing through his hair, he stretched out and groaned. Laying on the floor too long as a bit painful. He stood up and stretched some more before planting himself next to Lolli. All criss-cross-apple sauce style. Too bad he didn't carry a usual hat or beanie today. Jun felt weird without one. Even without his glasses. But to keep himself occupied, he started playing with Lolli hair; smirking to himself.

He shook his head. "No, I think I'm good now. Just need to get used to it," he said. And thankfully he was already. Maybe one day he'll get back into the water. ONE DAY. "No password come to mind yet?"