By the end of summer, Schuyler had been ready to return to Hogwarts. Ready for the feast food and the friends and even the classes would serve as a welcomed distraction. Granted, the train ride in hadn't exactly started the year out on the smoothest note, but it had been an interesting one? So that was something.

And of course one of the top things to miss? Hogwarts grounds. So pretty. Especially now that it was just the start of school and it was still warm out. Not that she didn't appreciate the winter months.. she just favored the warmer ones. So naturally, that's where Schuyler was now - outside. Checking out everything outside.

AND what was the unfamiliar feature that caught the brunette's eye? That fine tree house over yonder. Even with a rope ladder and everything. Well, there was no walking past this perk. Good call, groundskeeper. With a light smile gracing her lips, she grabbed a rung and began climbing.

The tree house was BACK. Or it was a different one. It looked different. Mo gazed up at the tree from its base before giving it a little circle to take in all the angles. Definitely different, which meant he shouldn't have any weird residual feelings by climbing up into this one. Maybe, in fact, he'd find a nice spot to sit with his camera and catch a good view of the castle and grounds.

He pulled himself up the first few rungs before spotting someone already making their way up. Must have missed that on the flip side of the tree, hmm?

"What's up, Skylark?"

Rope ladder was shaky. It could probably be used as a makeshift swing, she noted. For future reference, of course. Schuyler was just about all the way up the ladder when she heard her name. Well, not her actual name. Skylark. Which meant that the voice below could only belong to Marcus Branxton.

She craned her neck and peered down and, lo and behold, there was the Ravenclaw. "Hey, Mo," she greeted with a grin. He pretty much always got one because he received bonus points for coming up with the cool nickname. She made it up through the opening beyond the latched door and stood up on the lumber that was the bottom of the house. Benches, tables, windows. Space. She put her hands on her hips and nodded as she walked around a bit. Not bad for a tree house. Not bad at all.

"I've always wanted a tree fort." Was he up the ladder? Was she talking to the sawdust?

"Well, now you have one," Mo mumbled as he threw himself through the opening and lay with his face pressed against the coarse boards beneath him. Graceful, but there was something about getting off a rope ladder that was completely beyond him. He rolled over and grinned up at Schuyler from the floor.

"I officially dub this... Skylark Castle. How's the view from your tower, m'lady?" Ick, he had splinters in his face. Mo pushed himself to his feet and tried to gingerly remove the wood fragments without grimacing.

Melek wandered around the grounds at Hogwarts, trying to find ways and short-cuts to it all. She had her coat on and she looked up. Mel gasped as she saw the tree house. Melek always wanted to go inside one and see what it is like. Her mother would hate her for this but she didnt care at the moment. Mel wanted to have fun and this was going to be fun... or at least that is what it looked like it would be. Melek edged closer and went around the tree, looking at the tree house for a little bit, making sure it was safe because she didnt want to explain how she got injured if it wasnt safe then again, why would it be here if it wasnt safe. Mel shrugged and started to climb up the ladder. After a bit, she finally pulled herself into the tree house and stood up. Melek beamed and laughed. Mel was already having a lot of fun as she looked around. She saw the shuffleboard court and all the seating. Melek also saw the balcony which she got up on and went to sit on one of the couch. Mel pulled out her journal, quill and ink and started to write in her journal. The place wasnt that quite but it was a cozy and nice spot. She even started to debate whether to make it her spot to come be alone but not entirely alone just maybe out of the way and watch the world move around her type alone though she didnt really like being alone too much... MEl had gotten much alone time at home with being an only child... the only time her parents really spent with her was when they were teaching her and then that was just textbooks so they never really talked to her. Her parents just usually stay away and only check in to see if she has been keeping up with doing her studies. They graded them and just give her more and more. Her parents hardly even teach her... just give her a lesson plan and a textbook then leave. So is it any wonder why she is like she is? Sometimes snapping and making rude comments to people? Always nervous? Lonely a lot? On top of all this, they just dump her to the side and send her away because they grew tired of her pranks... the pranks were the only way to get their attention though... but she did one too many and got dumped at Hogwarts but Hogwarts wasnt that bad really... She met a lot of new people and maybe soon will make a lot of friends but then again, it kinda ruined her friendship with Annaleecia with that fight at the start-of-term feast...

There was a thump. A thump that even reverberated through the floorboards. Schuyler glanced over her shoulder, her mouth pulling in a crooked grin when she saw that Mo was clearly the source of this thud. Face down on the floor. "You like the scent of freshly cut lumber?" Hmm, maybe next time he ought to try flying in through the window. You know, stick to brooms.

Skylark Castle, hmm? Gosh, Mo was winning in brownie points. Too bad for him they weren't house points. "Skylark Castle it is. Does that make me Queen?" Yes? She moved over closer to the nearest window and rested her palms against the bottom of the frame as she assessed the view. "Overlooks the lake. Nice angle of the castle walls.." Hogwarts castle, that is. Not Skylark Castle, of course. She turned and gave a nod of approval. "Excellent view, sir."

Lana had seen the tree house from Ravenclaw Tower and she knew that she needed to explore it as soon as possible. It reminded her so much of the ones she saw around her home when she was younger. Besides, she had always wanted to have one, but her parents never had the time to actually make one for Laura and herself; of course they were both too old to be having one. That never would stop Lana from wanting one though.

As she eyed it from the ladder, she got very excited. Of course, it would be bigger on the inside and she knew after all these years; one should never be fooled by the outside appearance of things. Glancing around, she made sure no one was that close to her as she started to climb up the rope ladder. Perhaps her choice of attire wasn't completely thought out for playing in a tree house, but she gave it no concern either way.

Peeking her head through the door, she beamed. Yup, it was definitely bigger on the inside! Pulling herself completely through the door, she took in her surrounding. Mr. Kirby had really done a great job with the place. He was totally her favourite groundskeeper for sure!

Glancing up, she noticed the balcony and headed up. The view must be amazing from there and she wanted to see it for herself. Plus, the more she saw what the tree house had to offer, the more she wanted one for her own home or her future home after she grew up more.

Upon reaching the balcony, she noticed a familiar face. "Hai Mel, fancy seeing you here." she smiled as she plopped down on the other couch. "How are you liking Hogwarts so far?"

Melek was pulled away from her thoughts and her writing as she heard a voice call her name. She made sure that the ink was dry before closing her journal and looking up. Mel gave a smile and quickly put away her things into her bag. "Hey, Lana." Melek was kinda glad about being pulled away from her thoughts. She was surely about to break down if she hadnt been... well, probably would have but wasnt too sure. "Ummm... too early to say for sure... I have been out and about, exploring the grounds before classes start up." Mel gave a weak smile, "It is nice to meet a few people... totally different from being an only child... that I can say for sure..." Melek sighed, "Though I might have lost my childhood friend after the fight we had at the feast..." Tears started to threaten to appear but she closed her eyes and took a calming breath before opening them. Mel knew her mother would shame her if she was caught crying in public.

Melek looked at her, "Hogwarts is so much different than Turkey... I only really been in Turkey and somewhat Russia... but the Russia was to see Annaleecia since she had moved there after... well... that is her story to tell..." She sighed and continued, "I mean other than Diagon Alley and the Kings Cross station... this is the only nonTurkish place I have been too... I dont get to travel much and everything is just so different..." A frown appeared, "The food here is dreadful as well... if you try the food in my hometown, you would never go back to this garbage..." Her eyes grew, "Sorry... I didnt mean to be so rude..." A frown appeared, "Perhaps I have talked too much..." Melek cast her eyes down at her hands and started to nibble at her thumbnail again.

Her thumbnail started to bleed a little from the chewing so she started on her other thumbnail so as to not make the bleeding one worse. Melek sighed, happy that her mother wasnt here so that she couldnt see her nails. Her mother had tried to break it every way she could think of but it didnt stop Mel from chewing her nails when she was nervous or upset. She let out a sigh and kept nibbling on the nail. It would probably be wise to break the habit but it was calming her down in this strange place... and anyways, she could probably get her nails done somewhere in Hogsmeade or have Annaleecia do them... well that is if Annaleecia and her make up... and that thought started to bring tears back to threatening. Her nibbling grew and she sighed as she glanced up at the older girl.

Embarrassment shone in her eyes and on her cheek as her hand flew from her mouth into her lap, clasping with the other hand. She looked out the window and sighed, just wanting to curl up on the couch or leave the tree house and go hide or even better, go to the dorm room and bury herself with pillows and blankets. Melek could already hear her mother lecturing her... though she probably would be even angrier since it would be wasting even more of her so precious time but then again, Mel was already used to her mother being mad at her and her father just standing there, doing nothing. Her mother ran the household and her father simply just followed orders. Her father was a bit kinder than her mother... well when her mother wasnt around that is but she hardly seen either of her parents...

Melek blinked and tried to draw herself away from her thoughts, "Sorry..." Mel got up, "I think I shall leave you be... as so not to offend you or anything..." Mel longed to stay though but she started to back away, hoping that the older girl would call her back and let her hang around her. She wouldnt blame the girl if the girl said bye and let her go though... Melek sighed and got to the part where she had to go off the balcony and onto the main part. Mel couldnt quite pull herself to go down it though. She looked at the older girl, waiting for the okay to say or the dreaded bye.

Lana slowly removed her jacket and got comfy. This place was pretty awesome after all, she knew she's be spending a lot of time up in that balcony for sure. Setting her jacket over her lap, she smiled at Mel. "Exploring is always good. There are still a number of places that I need to explore. I find a new place to explore every term," she replied. The castle and the grounds had so much to offer. "Meeting people comes with the territory. I know when I was new, I had the hardest time and I have a sister that makes friends so much more easier than myself." Laura was the more out-going one after all. "But different can be good too, right?" A change of pace and environment was sometimes needed in her opinion. At the sight of possible tears, Lana moved forward in concern. "A fight? You know how many fights I've had since I started at Hogwarts?" She needed to help cheer her new friend up. "Every year, I would have a fight with my sister and every year we would make up. I'm sure you haven't lost your friend. I say give her some time and see how things work out." Some time it was okay to let things cool off and run their course before trying to fix things.

Lana sat and listened to what Mel had to tell her. Taking in as much as she could and nodding in understanding. "I know it can be very scary to be somewhere new, I know I was a bit terrified when I first went somewhere completely new." Change and her had never really gotten along and she didn't enjoy being outside her comfort zone, but it was just something that she needed to do. "Oh, no it's not rude. You are entitled to your opinion," she smiled. "Really, I take no offence to it. We all like different things and that is okay. You know that our differences are what make us unique and that's completely okay." No one was the same and personally, Lana enjoyed the differences. "But talking is good. Sometimes you just have to get whatever is bothering you out in the open," she offered with a nod.

"You want to hear a story about me?" she asked as she watched Mel before her. It was killing her inside to see her friend so upset. "You met my sister, Laura, at the feast. We are twins. Same birthday, I was born first; so I'm just a little older. Do you think we are anything alike?" They kind of looked a like, but they were not identical at all. "We fight like cats and dogs most of the time. We can't even agree on things when we are at home," she continued on as she remembered all the fights they had through their years. "But do you think that had ever stopped us from being friends and sisters?" Arguments were natural and she knew that no one got along with everyone all of the time. Hello, that was nearly impossible! "Misunderstandings and fights happen. We can't dwell on them too much and sometimes dwelling just adds fuel to the fire. You and your friend will work through this. Talk it out after you both had time to cool off and stuff." Of course, she still had no idea what the fight was about; but she had a feeling that whatever had happened wouldn't end a friendship.

Lana leaned over and patted Mel's knee before she could get up. "You have no reason to be sorry," she replied with and concerned smile. "And you have not offended me at all. I enjoy your opinion and you really don't have to leave at all. You found this place and you should enjoy it. Come back here and tell me about all the places you have explored already," she added as she patted the couch where Mel had just been sitting. Lana didn't want the younger girl to leave upset and a part of her sensed something else might be wrong. She didn't want to pry, but if she wanted to talk about it; Lana would be glad to listen either way.

She watched her friend remove her coat and tilted her head, still watching her. "Yeah, exploring is really fun... I didnt get to do much of it in Turkey though... except the inside of our house but there isnt really much to explore inside a house after exploring everywhere in it all your life..." A frown came but then was replaced by a smile, "That is good that there will be a lot to explore here inside and outside... more than one can explore in a year!" Melek nodded to the meeting people thing and listened to her talk. Mel nodded again, "Yeah, different is fantastic... if everyone was the same then there wouldnt be anything new to do... and life would be dull." She gave a weak nod at the 'fight?' part then a shrug at the other question that probably wasnt suppose to be answered anyways. Her eyes grew, "Every year? And well... would you be friends with someone that threw a goblet at you and hit you right in the middle of your forehead?" She looked down and sighed, "I really didnt mean to do it though... but just hearing the words that I should have been in Slytherin or that I am rude, just made her really mad... well angrier... I was already mad for some reason that I cant even remember..." A sigh came and she looked at the older girl. "Will giving her time really fix that?" Melek couldnt help but give Lana a skeptical look and then sigh again, looking down at her feet.

Mel looked at her, "So being scared is normal?" Hope came to her eyes as she looked at Lana, "It is okay to be scared?" Melek tilted her head, "What I said wasnt rude?" A relief smile came to her lips and she fought the urger to hug the older girl. Mel gave a brief nod, "Yeah... that is true... I guess... our differences makes us unique and that is a good thing..." A smile came to her lips and she looked at the girl, liking her even more. "Talking is good? Mother always said that one must not voice their opinion though... I guess I am really bad at following orders..." She sighed and glanced back down. Melek was starting to feel really relaxed when around Lana. "You are really easy to talk to though..." A weak smile came and she looked at her.

Melek nodded at the question about wanting to hear the story. She leaned her elbows on her knees and rest her head on her hands. Mel listened to her without making a peep until the end of the story, so to not make her mad. "If you two can make it through and be friends... then maybe Annaleecia and I can... though we arent twins or even siblings... but we grew up together and our parents are really close... but I am not suppose to hang with her in public anymore only in private..." A sigh escaped and looked down, "Because of her parents..." Mel looked up at her, "I dont want to cause any more fire... so maybe I should try to not think about it... like you said... dwelling caused the fire to grow worse sometimes..." Melek gave a slight nod and looked at the older girl. "Okay... I will try to find my friend sometime and talk it out with her and get everything all sorted out... hopefully all will be forgiven and we can go back to being best friends again..." Hope sparkled in her eyes as she looked at Lana.

She glanced at the hand that was patting her knee. Her eyes grew wide. Mel was raised to hate any touching in public because her mother and father both thought it was distasteful though Melek was finding it comforting right now and she gave a brief smile. Mel looked at her, "You arent offended and you enjoyed my opinions?" Her smile grew a little bit and she looked in awe at Lana. Melek gave a slight nod and came back over and sat down where the girl was patting. "Okay... if you really want me to tell you of the places that I explored..." Mel got comfortable and started to beam at the girl. She was liking Lana more each second that she was around the older girl.

Melek clasped her hands and started to tell Lana about the places she explored, "Well I went to that Breech tree by the lake and they have a take and put book library there so I read one of the books while leaning against the tree then replaced it before wandering down to the lake and onto the dock." She took a breath after saying the first place and before getting too detailed with the second place, "The dock at the lake was okay... it had fishing rods... though I never used one and I probably wouldnt use one... I stayed there a bit..." The girl nodded and then continued even more, "Then I explored the wooden covered bridge. The view was really nice and it was beautiful... There is a gazebo at the end of it that is a pleasant place to rest." Melek paused and smiled, taking a breath or two. "I think I like it there... quiet and a good place to write well this is a good place to relax and people watch..." Mel nodded her head, "Then I ended up here and well... I think you know the rest." A giggle escaped and she smiled at the older girl.

Mitchell could see the charm of living in a castle far away from home. The grounds were SO big. Of course, living in New York, he wasn't used to yards at all. But being here, he decided that maybe it wouldn't be so bad living away from what he was used to.

As he walked he spotted what looked like a tree house. That looked fun.

Grace had wanted to go exploring. Well, and she wanted to get out of the dungeons. She decided to go outside because it was so nice at the moment, and she knew it was going to get colder soon. The slytherin had headed out to the grounds, and just walked around. Until she had come to a big tree house

"Oh my daaaays." She giggled, running down to where the place was. "A tree house! So cooool!" Ooh. And Mitchell was here. "Oh... Hey Mitchell."

Someone was calling him. He glanced over his shoulder. "Oh hey Grace." he said with a smile. "How's snake world?" That's what she said she was, right? Pretty sure.

"You wanna check it out?" he asked nodding toward the rope ladder. "I can hold it steady for you."

Snake world? ha. She liked that. Grace grinned at him. "It's pretty fantastic." Very green. But she liked green. She liked yellow too. But she wasn't a hufflepuff. So she didn't think she could wear yellow too much. People would think that she was a hufflepuff. "How's the den?" Because he was a lion right?

Oooh. He wanted to go up. "Sure!" She beamed, as she looked back over at him. "It looks pretty small..." She mused, as she headed over, and had a look up.

Ana walked down towards what appeared to be a very small tree house, thinking it would be a good place to take a rest. She'd been walking around, or getting lost, the whole day and now she needed somewhere to sit and relax. And a tree house seemed as good a place as any to do that. Especially since she could see where the tree house was, but was unsure of how to get back to the castle, or at least, unsure how to get back to any place she'd recognise inside the castle.

Why couldn't they have GPS's again?

Christmas was wandering about the grounds and saw that the treehouse was still about which brought a smile to her face and she saw a girl taking a rest near the treehouse she looked new and looked as though she had been getting lost while exploring and said "This your first time at Hogwarts" Christmas always remembered getting lost the first year she came to Hogwarts

Ana startled slightly when a girl approached and began talking to her. Well she assumed she was talking to her. "How'd you know? I was hoping it wasn't that obvious..." she said, giving the other girl a wry, but not unfriendly, smile.

Christmas smiled at the girl and said "Well i was in your shoes quite a few years ago when i first came to Hogwarts from Beauxbatons"

"Ahh," Ana nodded comprehension at the explanation she was given. It certainly made sense. Or it might make sense. Probably? "How does Hogwarts compare to Beauxbatons?" she asked, genuinely curious about the answer. From everything she'd heard Hogwarts was an amazing school, but then so had been the previous schools she'd attended.

It was mid afternoon, and Elodie was still in her pyjamas. Now, she didn't really care. Nor did she really have the energy to care because she'd stayed up most of the night reading a book she'd gotten over the summer. And then starting to knit a new scarf - this term she was going to make herself one for each colour of the rainbow. Bamboozle! Knitting in her little backpack and boyfriend's jacket around her shoulder, the sixth year started up the rope ladder with as much determination as she possibly could have.

Rope ladders were weird and they moved and it was almost as bad as the thought of being on a broom. ALMOST.

But once she was up, she was sorted. And to a bench she went, setting herself up on it with her back against the wall, directly under a window. Smell of fresh air, a place that wasn't her dorm and knitting.

Day to waste.

A tree house! He had a tree house at his other school. It was a great place to plan things and jump out of when the older kids charmed the ground. He wondered if they did that here.

Climbing the rope as quickly as he could he made his way up. This had to be fun and there had to be excitement, because what tree house wasn't fun. Where was Luc he hadn't seen him since they got sorted in the same house. Whatever he'd find his step cousin later right now was mission time. Maybe this could be a good place to hang the item he had kept from the train.. maybe.

Once up the ladder he noticed someone was sitting there alone. What was she doing? "Do you sleep here?" Noticing she was in her pajamas. Maybe people weren't put in a house slept in the tree house. Was this were the houseless stayed?

Did she sleep here? Now, if she hadn't asked for that from wearing her pyjamas, she'd have grumped something about not looking like a tree lover and how she was just seeking time alone. Alas, her clothing gave the impression she had slept here. Or somewhere near. Her own fault. At least she didn't have her cat, a blanket or Gavin the panda squish.

"No." She was just having a day off from getting out of the clothes she'd clearly get back into in a few hours when she fell back into bed for the evening. "It's not nearly as comfy as my bed." Did she really look that much like a bench snoozer? She'd BRUSHED her hair that morning, she had! Sure it was only up in a pony, but it had been brushed and didn't look like she'd been pulled through a hedge backward.

He was already looking out the window and not at her when she started talking again. Shrugging without much interest, "Oh well Pajamas are comfy. They should have Pj days instead of the robes for classes. We'd learn more if we were comfy." At least that's how he felt about hings.

"So how far up are we? Think we could jump out. At my old school older students charmed the ground so we could jump out. Do you know the cushion charm?" If she did maybe she'd want an adventure.

He looked at her again and got curious, "So what are you doing here all alone in your pajamas? Shouldn't you be off with friends like everyone else?" He thought it was curious that she was alone, she seemed older so shouldn't she have plenty of friends to hang with.

More untangling of her wool. "You, kid, are a boy after my own heart. That's my exact thoughts on life. Why not live in pyjamas?" She'd probably be more inclined to be excited for classes if she was in her bed fuzzies, and her rabbit slippers. Actually..maybe she wouldn't be. Hah. No, no way she would be. She'd probably just be too comfy and fall to sleep. Which....wasn't a bad idea, actually. This kid was onto something. Definitely.

JUMP?! Was he mad? The sixth year looked over at him and raised an eyebrow before wagging a knitting needle at him. "I'll watch you jump if there is no cushioning charm." Not that she wanted to be mean or anything, but he wanted to jump, and she didn't want to use her wand or jump. In fact, she just maybe wanted to see how quickly he realised he could die if he did jump. Then maybe she'd save him. Maybe.

Or maybe she'd knit. "Come here. I want to skin compare this wool colour on someone else." His arm would do. Or his face. Whichever he would offer. But why was she alone in her pyjamas? Why wasn't she with friends? "Working on presents for friends. Scarves." Like every year. Except that was a little lie. She was working on one for herself right now.