Cris watched as AJ limbered up trying his hardest not to smile as she did so. She was so enthusiastic that Cris didn't have the heart to tell her that jeans wasn't the appropriate attire to be running a race in.

And her fighting spirit. Now that Cris couldn't help but chuckle when she asked him whether he was ready to lose.

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's race to the tree over there." Cris gestured over to the tree about a 100 meters away. "On the count of three?," Cris asked as he assumed the starting position.

"One...Two....Three," Cris called out.

Treading water and feeling the boat tug at the rope around his waist Leo gave a little sigh of as Cassie swam closer to him looking seemingly uninjured if drenched. "I'm glad." With a shrug he said "I should have warned you that standing up in a boat, is unwise since they are so unsteady. I’m sorry." He was sorry and she was sorry. This wasn't going as planned. Sigh.

Feeling Cassie grab onto his arm in panic he pulled her closer to him and said reassuringly trying to catch her gaze. "Calm down. There is no need to panic Cassie. I’ll just conjur up a ladder we can use to climb back up on the boat." Shaking his head he said "Swimming back is a last resort. We can send a patronus to Orsino or someone and they can come and help us get back to shore."

Grabbing his wand with his free hand Leo conjured up a ladder that attached itself to the side of the boat. Gesturing to it he asked “Cassie, do you think you can try climbing up?"

AJ wasn't sure if Cris was taking her seriously or not, but she was serious, DEAD serious. AJ felt good, and the desire in her heart to win took over and actually seemed to be warming her body.

The chuckle didn't go unnoticed, but it wasn't his fault that he had never seen her in action. She wasn't your typical first year girl ya know!

"Got it." AJ leaned down and got in the perfect runner's stance. She was ready. As soon as she head three, the lion took off. She was going as fast as her little legs would carry her, which was pretty fast for an eleven year old. Was it going to be enough though?

Brrr... Would this cold ever end? Would they ever have a warm winter's day?

All Simon wanted was to be back on the beach in Australia playing with this Crup. He was sure that Feo too would prefer the weather. Playing on the beach with a nice frisbee and then going for a swim. Ah, that was the way to spend a December holiday. But he was in the UK now and at Hogwarts. He actually really liked it here. All the people he had met so far were extremely friendly and helpful. He felt as if he could actually connect to people for once.

Today, Simon was on his daily Crup walks once again. Feo, Professor Botros' dog, took the lead as he raced between upperclassmen students and then finally made his way over to the Black Lake. Simon chuckled at the Crup. He was so easygoing and full of life. He hoped one day that he too could be like that. He'd be like that once he found the perfect potion to help his mother. It would be perfect. Once he got to the edge of the Black Lake, he took a seat on the ground. Feo took a seat next to him, resting his head on Simon's knee.

Cris couldn't help but burst out laughing when AJ immediately took off, her little legs paddling running as fast as they could to carry her along. Then he took off after her, his long strides quickly bringing him along side her and then past. As he ran past her, he noticed the look of determination on her face and that's when he knew he had to allow her win.

So he began to shorten his strides and his pace. Maybe he could trip somewhere near the finishing line. Yes that he could do that most ably...and without hurting himself in the process either. Yes that was a good plan indeed.

Running, she just had to keep running. It had been awhile since she looked to see where her competition was, and to her horror he was already beside her, and even passed her up. She pushed harder and managed to go a bit faster.

It was then that she noticed that she was once again gaining on him. "Not getting tired are ya?" she asked between breaths. It never crossed her mind that he was falling back on purpose.

AJ was in this for one thing, and one thing only... victory!

Cris could see AJ from the peripheral corner of his eye. She was definitely a fighter he had to give her that. He slowed his run down to a jog and when she was abreast with him, he shook his head in reply to her and then....

....proceeded with his plan. He first faked a trip, and then a stumble and then he flung himself forward, tucking his head and shoulders in the moment he hit the ground before rolling over. Then he lay face down on the ground, first glancing up with one eye to see where AJ was and then closing both of them.

ahhh...it was nice to lie on the grass...even though it was freezing cold and wet.

Awww wasn't that sweet. "No. .I should have .. kn..kn..know that." Her lip was shivering from the cold water. "I was just worried about hitting you and didn't think." So in the water she went, not his fault at all. Giving him a smile she hoped he knew it really wasn't his fault.

Looking towards the shore she was glad he didn't think they would have to swim to the shore. She was much to cold to try and swim that far. "O..okay." Moving her feet to stay treading and trying to keep warm. "It was soooo nice of you to jump in." She might have said that already, but she meant it. He didn't need to be wet and cold too. Thought she did giggle. "I..I b...b..bet this w..w..was a g..good show for the s..students."

Seeing a ladder she swam towards it. Gripping it with her cold fingers she slowly made her way out of the water and back into the boat. Being very careful she sat down in the seat and put her arms around herself. Shivering in the cold breeze. "Do y..you.. n...n..need help?"

AJ just so happened to catch Cris's head shake no, and a snappy reply was JUST about to leave her mouth, but then something completely unexpected happened.

O.O Did the boy just fall over? What could he of even possibly tripped on? Her competitive nature wanted for her to just keep going because if you fell, it sucked sure, but all was fair when you raced. It was up to you to keep on your own two feet. AJ had to admit that she admired his roll. The boy fell with grace, that much was sure.

Blowing out air, her running stopped immediately. AJ turned around and offered Chris her hand. "Nice save with the roll. You okay?" If she learned anything from all of the team sports she had played, it was that you never left a man behind.

Wait why had she stopped running? All AJ had to do was run past the imaginary finishing line and she'd be the winner. Cris was baffled. Had he just done all this for nothing. The fall, the roll, lying in the wet, cold grass was for nothing? The fact that AJ displayed good sportsmanship, didn't go unnoticed though.

"Yes I'm fine. Thanks for asking. Why did you stop running? You were winning?" Cris sat up before looking up to gaze at the younger girl. "You know what? I'm going to declare you the winner," Cris nodded, his look telling her that he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

They needed to get out of the water. Cassie was already shivering so much that she was starting to stammer when she spoke. Smiling weakly he responded "Thanks for worrying about me. You didn’t hurt me with the oar. You just brushed it against my side." Leo appreciated the fact that Cassie tried to get him to see that it wasn’t his fault that she had fallen in even if he felt that way.

Treading water and trying to not think of the fact that he was starting to go numb in his toes because of the icy cold water Leo watched with anticipation as Cassie swam towards the ladder and climbed up. She did it faster and more efficiently then Leo would have thought given how cold she was. When he too was back on the boat he conjured up two sets of blankets. Handing one of them over to Cassie he said grinning weakly. "I think the student’s had a good laugh on our expense, because it probably looked funny from where they were standing. I just hope we don’t end up in the aparecium."

Sitting down on the bench Leo started to row with strong strokes. "Just concentrate on getting warm Cassie. I’ll get us to shore in no time." Hopefully Cece wasn’t waiting there with a reprimand ready for taking a dip in the icey lake water.

She was glad she didn't hurt him with the oar, but she still felt bad about him jumping in after her and ruining his fishing trip. Sitting now in the boat she watched him conjure two blankets. She couldn't believe how incredibly sweet he was. It seemed the Hogwarts staff was full of such amazing and caring people. "Thank you." Pulling out her own wand she began drying herself and then pointed it towards Leo. "My turn to help you." Using the drying charm she soon had them both dry, though her hair and shoes were still ruined from the water, but it was fine. She'd fix them both later.

Wrapping up in the warm blanket her green eyes watched as he rowed them back to shore. "So glad my purse didn't fall in." Her kitties wouldn't have been able to handle the water. She glanced at it sitting safely with two little heads peaking out watching. Turning her focus back on Leo she chuckled, "Oh goodness, they wouldn't waste their time on an article about two professors falling out of a boat." That wasn't gossip. She knew that paper well. She loved reading it as a child, her want to know what was going on and the fun of it. She had read a few articles so far.

As they continued towards the shore she looked to see which students were possibly watching and laughing. She began to laugh thinking about it. "I bet you will never ask me to do something outdoors again." Maybe he wouldn't ask her to do anything again. What a way to start a friendship. It was very comical if you could look past ruining the man's fishing.

He was okay? Good! She didn't think she could support his weight all the way back up to the castle given that he was so much older than her. Was that a confused look on his face? Hadn't she done the right thing here?

"Glad you aren't hurt." Why did she stop running? That was a good question. She could have just finished the race and then come back to see if he was okay, but that just didn't seem right. "I couldn't keep running because you fell. I had to make sure that you were okay." If she had won at that point it wouldn't have been right.

....And the girl had principles too. She was alright. "Thanks. I'm okay. Just a flattened ego," Cris smiled at her as he sat up. "You now that saying, no one gets left behind?," Cris asked AJ.

"It means if someone is helpless and falls behind, you go back for them. Well you did just that, AJ. You should be proud of yourself," Cris complimented the young lion. "So racing aside, what else do you like doing?" Cris asked eager to know more about her.

"Tell you what, I'll keep this a secret." It was just the two of them there so nobody would have to know that he had almost lost to a girl, and even more that he fell down. "I do. That was actually what was playing in my head when I stopped running." Her old baseball coach used to tell her that.

AJ beamed. She could totally get used to being praised. "So, do I get a sticker or something?" That's what her old teacher used to do. The next question was pretty loaded because she liked SO many things. "I love sports, and baseball is my favorite. I like go-cart racing, swimming, climbing trees. Pretty much anything that's outdoorsy and fun. I'm not your typical girl. I like to get dirty." She could ramble on forever about the things she liked, and she decided to let Cris have a go. "How about you?"

IT WAS ALMOST CHRISTMAS.

Excitedly, Lux skipped along in the snow towards the frozen lake. The last time she had been out here was when they had that Charms and Care of Magical Creatures class. It had been pretty fun despite the fact that she ended up wanting to throw up. She would definitely not be going on any dates with Bay where they rode in a horse-drawn carriage. She never wanted to get into one again.

Stopping near the shore, she plopped down in the snow and started making a snow angel. It was fun because she was bundled up really warmly, and snowflakes were falling all around her.

So pretty.

Melek was all bundled up with as many layers as she could get on. It was freezing cold... at least to her it was. Mel absentmindedly tugged her coat even more to her and hugged herself, trying to get warm. Mel was determined to be able to stand this weather. She saw something move in the snow a little bit away so she waddled over.

She glanced down and looked at the girl, acting weird. "Ha--..." Melek was about to call the girl 'Hat Girl' then realized that it was probably rude to call her that. Mel racked her mind, trying to think of her name. "Lux... what are you doing?" She gave a concern look at the girl's weird movements. "Do you need the healer?" Melek tilted her head and watched the girl, not sure what to do. Mel debated on just backing up and waddling away as fast as she could but she had liked Lux and wanted to be a good friend.

Generally the cold bothered Lux, but she was okay with it when she was wearing a million layers like she was now. Moving her scarf down off her face, she opened her mouth to try to catch snowflakes on her tongue. Because why not.

Arms moving, she saw a shadow stand over her, and then the person attached to it. "Oh, hey Mel! I'm just making a snow angel. Want to join me?" What was with that look? Had Mel never made a snow angel before? Because if not, that needed to change!

Emmylou shivered the whole way down to the lake, she was pretty sure that her good idea to go to the lake was now turning into a bad one. Coming from a place that barely had very cold winters or even snow just made it twenty time cold than it really was. The third year was starting to become homesick, she had been away from her family before but this was the first Christmas holiday that she had missed with her family. She had a feeling that her mother was going to Emmy's grandparents house in Tutshill and that her dad would be all alone with his brothers and parents. Emmylou really hoped that she didn't hurt any of her family's feelings.

Emmylou looked out into the great unknown, it wasn't really the great unknown but most of the places that students had seen since their first year was unknown to Emmylou because it was her first year here even though she was a third year. Being a transfer was strange but it was also weird to call your third year here your first year. Emmylou felt like she was making zero sense in her own mind. Without really paying attention Emmylou managed to fall down and slide over towards the black lake and into a student. Emmylou looked around and the at the student. "I'm so so sorry." Emmylou said with her Southern accent.

Brrrr.... It was probably a good time to head back into the castle. He had gotten up onto his feet once again and was about to start heading up to the castle when all of a sudden someone slid into him.

BAM!

"Woah," he said as he steadied both the person, Feo, and himself from falling onto the freezing Lake. The ice on the Lake didn't look that thick so luckily the three of them didn't end up on top of that. If they had that would have been really bad. He glanced up to find a very pretty girl about his own age apologizing in a very strange accent. He certainly knew that the accent was American; however, he wasn't sure where the pretty girl was from in that massive country. Feo started to yap happily at the stranger, wondering too where she had come from.

"That's alright. It's rather slippery around here. It's way too cold for my liking," he said with a kind smile and a nervous chuckle as he offered her a hand to help her up. He thought that he'd seen her around in a couple of classes, but he wasn't too sure. Oh well, time to make a new friend! Friends were good. "I'm Simon Holden. And this is Feo. Professor Botros' crup. I volunteered to walk him around today."

Sticker? Cris chuckled when AJ asked about those. He remembered getting those when he was attending muggle school. "Sure I can give you a sticker. I believe my youngest sister placed some in my journal for me to stick on every time I did well in class. Will a great big gold star do?" Cris asked already thinking in his mind, he'd give her one the next time he saw her in class.

He listened attentively when AJ described the games she loved playing. Go-cart racing definitely sounded interesting, although Cris imagined he would be too old to be doing that now. "Go-cart racing huh? Do you build your own? I remember my friend's father built one for him out of box crates," Cris informed AJ.

"Now as for tree climbing. I still do that although I much prefer to rock climb? Have you ever done it before? I wouldn't recommend it to everybody. It takes a lot of practice and you have to be physically fit to attempt that sport," Cris described one of his favorite sports to AJ.

Dylan made his way down to the lake with his guitar slung across his back, his kitten Ginger trotting along behind him. It seemed like a nice day to go out and play some music, and what better place than the lake? It was always so nice to sit out by the water and play his guitar. And people didn't normally mind it, so that was always a plus too.

Taking a seat under one of the trees, he positioned his guitar upon his lap and began playing a song and lightly singing along to it. Ginger sat in front of him, watching as he played and tilting her head to the side as she observed.

Why did it have to be so darn cold? Why could there be snow and it be warm? Maybe it would be less slippery too. The third year Lion felt so embarrassed as she slid into two people or were they objects? Emmylou shielded her ocean blue eyes from the sunshine so she could get a look at the person that had saved her.. She wondered who the person was so she could thank them over and over again for not letting her fall into the freezing water of the black lake.

Emmylou blinked for a moment. Snow was beautiful but the blonde didn't like how it made the day so much brighter, she really would need to buy some sunglasses or have her Aunt Raeanne buy send her some. Here it goes, her apology, she knew that no one was hurt but she still felt really bad for slipping and falling and almost making herself, this nice boy and the poor animal falling into the freezing water. "I am so, so, so, so, so, so sorry." Emmylou gave the boy and the crup a warm smile.

As they the boy introduced him and his companion she squinted her blue eyes the using her hand to shield the sun so she could have a normal conversation without the sun getting in the way of it. "It's very nice to me you Simon and Feo." She smiled brightly, that was her favorite thing to do; smile. Smiling just made everything better and it made any nervous situation normal and happy again...at least to Emmylou it did. "I'm Emmylou Duchannes." she gave Simon and Feo and friendly wave.

Simon shrugged nonchalantly as he helped steady the pretty American girl. "It's alright. D-don't worry about it at all. It happens," he said with a friendly grin. And then all of a sudden, she smiled at him. Wow. She had a very nice smile. The smile was something that made Simon feel as if the girl may have instantly understood her. It unnerved him but made him feel very welcome at the same time. It was strange. It was magical. He wanted to know more about her.

Uh... had he been staring? He looked away a little so that hopefully she wouldn't see him blushing slightly. Feo barked playfully at the girl, nudging her a little.

*Ahem*.

She was awfully sweet. Very sweet. Like candy. "It's very nice to meet you, Emmylou. I noticed that you have an accent yourself. Where are you from?" he asked rather forward than usual. Was that an okay thing to ask?! He had no clue. He didn't want to make a fool out of himself.

Emmylou smiled softly and put her waves behind her ears. The third year Lioness thought that the boy was really sweet or at least he was really sweet for helping her not fall into the lake but that was also her fault because she had almost made the three of them fall in there. "But I feel really bad." Here was Emmy, not only did she want to make people happy but she also felt bad whenever she almost hurt someone and this was of course one of those moments.

The blonde looked at the crup and smiled brightly. She crouched down and pet the little cutie. "Aww, you're adorable, Feo." Emmy smiled and pet him some more.

Emmylou was surprised that Simon had asked that. She had been in Hogwarts since September and no one had asked her what kind of accent she had, they would just rub it off and give a weird look like she was from another planet. "I'm from Alabama." she beamed.