One of the first things Gwen did when she got back to Hogwarts was to go visit her horse. Well, not her horse. The school's horse probably, but she had named him last year, so he was sort of hers. Apples and sugar-cubes in her pocket she walked through the stables and directly to the stall of the Granian.

"Hey Ahearn," she greeted him, reaching into her pocket for the apple. He stepped over to her and nuzzled his face in her hand. The two had become fast friends over the last year. "Guess what buddy?" she asked as the winged horse ate the apple from her hand. "I got to see my daddy in July. And this year I get to spend Christmas with him."

Ahearn had heard all of Gwen's drama and struggles. She wasn't sure how much he understood, but he knew when to be comforting, so that was something. "Also, Iestyn still isn't speaking to me. I mean, we had a few good moments this summer where it seemed just like old times, and then he would remember he was mad at me." She didn't like it when her twin was mad at her.

"Well," she sighed, feeding him the last of the sugar cubes. "I probably should go get to work on my homework. But I'll come back soon and we can go for a ride, okay?" The blonde girl didn't want to say goodbye, but she did have piles of things to do, so she kissed his nose, and headed out of the stables.

For the first of November it was freezing already. Cassie didn't remember being so cold. Shivering and wrapping her cloak tighter around her she made her way into the stables. The usually bubbly, smiling, snapping professor was a bit off today. She had more of an anxious look to her and her hurried step wasn't quite as bouncy. Glancing around the grounds she took note of the stillness around her. Where were the birds? She felt a disturbance with her animal friends. Typically able to see and read them well, she was struggling for some reason. Many thoughts, and visions coming to her at once.

As she entered a calming feel came around her for the most part. Though some seemed a bit on edge. She made her way towards them first. Looking into the Thestral stable first. She had been able to see them for years. Her grandfather passing in front of her was something she wouldn't forget quickly. She reached her hand in her cloak pocket and pulled out some apples. "Here you go, now can you tell me what's going on?" She was hoping they would give her a clue as to why she was feeling so uneasy.

Connor walked into the stables, continuing his goal of exploring the rather large grounds included the stables and any other places he could look around. November already and it was freezing! Merlin.. He thought October in Scotland was cold. He made sure to be bundled up this time. He was looking forward to the things Elodie said she would knit him, for more reasons than warmth but that was besides the point.

He noticed the Professor speaking to a very odd looking creature.. He just assumed there would be Horses here, but it looked like a very strange horse, they didn't have those at Salem and he didn't want to seem dumb on the carriage ride in and ask another student. "Hello, Professor..what kind of creature is that? I'm sure that's a dumb question, but i've never seen them before.." He hadn't seen them, not until now. His father Grandmother passing a few years back, he was with her. Holding her hand.

She adjusted her weight back and forth as she stood watching the creature nibble the apple. What was making her feel so off and what was going on in animal land that was causing such a disturbance in the positive vibes she typically had. Just about to start humming to calm the animal the Divination Professor jumped as she heard a voice.

"OHMIGOSH I didn't even hear you come in." She forced one of her cheerful smiles towards the boy. He had helped her with Gemini recently, what was his name again? Tanner maybe? She looked from him to the creature in the stable. "Oh you can see them." She beamed at him, it was sad the reason he could see them, but it was exciting to see them. "These beautiful things are Thestral. Not everyone can actually see them." She figured she was going to have to explain more, but she turned and went quiet for a moment.

Coming back from her little moment of silence she shook her head, "Will have to tell Professor Thompson about that." she spoke softly to more her self to make a mental note then anything else.

Connor felt bad for scaring her! He didn't mean to. "Ohh, i'm so sorry.." He smiled back at her but that was normal. He was typically a very happy person. "Is Gemini still doing okay?" He helped her with the cat the other day, so he was curious if he'd gotten stuck anywhere else. "Thestrals? I think i've heard the name before, but i've never seen one until i got here, we didn't have them back at Salem." He stepped a little closer and looked at the creature.. "You'll have to tell Professor Thompson what?" Was it bad that he could see them?

"What makes a person see them?" Was it something wrong? He hoped he wasn't in trouble.

As Cris entered the barnyard, he headed towards the two rows of gated stables. He walked along each stable and noted the Winged Horses in each of them. There were a pair of Abraxans, a pair of Aethonans, a baby Granian with its mother in another, and a single Granian in another. As he continued walking further inside, he noticed a larger stable housing a Hippogriff. Walking up to the stable, Cris noticed a golden name plate on the wall next to its door. It read Henry.

So this was the Henry, his brother had told him about. Cris looked around before locating the bin that contained the winged horses food. Opening it up, Cris reached in and pulled out a dead ferret before carrying it back to Henry. Remembering what he had been taught back in Durmstrang, Cris bowed to Henry, while maintaining eye contact with him.

Cris knew that he had to first get Henry to accept him before he could approach him. A Hippogriff demanded respect and that was what Cris was going to give him. So he maintained his bowing position while looking straight into Henry's eyes.

"No. .no it's quite alright dear." What was wrong with a little scare now and then. She was fine and no harm done. Her smile grew as he spoke of her kitty. "Oh yes he is doing wonderful. I should have seen his little adventure coming, but I've been a bit distracted lately. Thank you so much for your help." Being only five foot tall really had it's down side.

"Oh they probably did. Have you recently seen someone die? She smiled at the creatures. It's the only way to see them. So if they were at Salem and you hadn't witness death then you just saw nothing. Had you ever seen a carriage moving it's self?" She remembered how that use to look. "They are wonderful creatures though and I wish more could see them."

She glanced at the boy before realizing what had come out of her mouth, "Oh it seems these cuties are a bit anxious, that's why I'm here. I can't figure out why, but I see them trying to escape from the stables soon. I need to warn Professor Thompson of this." She figured it was obvious that her talent was with animals so she didn't bother explaining.

Seeing someone else she glanced watching the boy. "Very good" He knew how to get close. That was a great thing, but she knew Henry would be fine with the boy. "He likes children so I think he will like you."

Connor leaned against the post next to him. "Ahh, good i would hate for him to get stuck up there again, He was a nice Cat. I'm gonna get one soon too." He was excited about having a pet, a friend to hang around.. And he was excited to be picking it out with Elodie.

"Ohh...well, i don't think we really had carriages there. It's not as old of a school." Ohh...he could see them because of death? His Dad died recently but he hadn't seen him...he'd just gotten the letter really. "Well, when i was younger i was with my Grandma when she died.." He looked at them for a moment. "Why is it that only those who have seen death can see them?" He was curious if anything, lots of questions all the time.

He made a face because he wasn't sure how to feel about that..he didn't know much about Thestrals but when horses ran from something it was usually for a good reason, because of danger. "Umm..okay, that makes sense. Is there anything i can do to help?" There was that Gryffindor side of him, he didn't even know he had, he just wanted to be helpful in any way he could. Especially if it could also sate his curiosity.

This seemed like such a nice boy, Cassie gave him another smile before feeding another apple to the Thestral. “He’s an adventures one, though Aries is usually my climber. In about two days maybe you can fetch him from the tree by the lake.” She had been seeing his thoughts about that tree for awhile now, but now she knew for sure he was going to get away from her purse and explore outside. Looking towards her kitty purse and seeing his little head looking around she gave a smile. “Oh you are? Well how fun, Cat’s are great pets for people. They get a bad rep most of the time. Very smart.”

They didn’t have any carriages, well that was a shame now wasn’t it. “Poor dears, the carriages are so fun. I’d hate it if we didn’t have them. A great tradition for the students.” She enjoyed her time in those carriages. Great memories! “There you go then, exactly why you can see them.” She gave another soft smile, “Mine was my grandfather.” Not a memory she really enjoyed, but then again she wouldn’t be seeing something so wonderful if the memory wasn’t there. Giving the boy a smile, she couldn’t take away from all of Javy’s fun. “Maybe that’s something your Care of Magical Creatures Professor should tell you.” What a great way to get a student to communicate with more professors.

She looked at him a moment, it made sense? That wasn’t something she was use to hearing. “You are the first person to say something like that. Usually I have to explain why I see the things I do.” She was certainly impressed that he just understood. Maybe he had the Divination ways? Shaking her head as she looked to the creatures, “No they’ll be fine even if they do get out, but I’d hate for Professor Thompson to have to go through the trouble of bringing them back if I can help him know when it will happen.” She could make her friends life easier at least in that aspect.

Cris continued to maintain eye contact with the Hippogriff even as his arm was beginning to ache. That dead ferret was definitely getting heavier by the minute. But Cris was determined to maintain his position until either Henry bowed indicating that he accepted his friendship or reared back...which meant...get out of here.

Cris could hear the Professor and another boy talking to each other. Then he heard the Professor mention something about he liking children. Was she addressing that comment to him? Cris didn't dare turn his head to find out. Breaking eye contact right now would be the worst move to make.

So he continued to bow down while raising his eyes to look at Henry's. And then something happened. Henry made a move. Cris held his breath and waited. Then to his relief, Henry bent one knee, and bowed his head.

He bowed his head!! Cris wanted to jump for joy, but forced himself to remain calm. He slowly straightened up and threw the dead ferret to Henry, before cautiously approaching him.

Reaching the Hippogriff's side, Cris reached out and stroked his head. Smiling he turned to look at the Professor and nodded.

"You were right. He is really friendly in reply to her comment.

He nodded. Right..look out for him in a tree. He didn't discount what seeers foresaw, nope. Magic was real so why not the ability to predict the future? "I'll be sure to keep an eye out for him then. Just in case." He smiled a little. "Well, good i'm normally a dog person but dogs can't be brough to Hogwarts..so.." He shrugged.

Connor shrugged. "It's a smaller campus and we don't have to travel so far to get to the main building. So no need for them really." This would make sense as to why he'd never seen a Thestral before today. "Oh..i see. They're very interesting creatures..I'll have to read more about them. Maybe i'll ask next time i'm in Care of Magical Creatures." Since apparently she wanted that professor to tell him. Hmm. He supposed she didn't want to step on someone's toes.

He made a face. "Really? But why? You're the Divination Professor, this is what you do..it just makes sense to me." Connor had always been open minded, living in the muggle and magical worlds had taught him that just because something didn't add up didn't mean it was impossible. You just had to look at it the right way, and Divination seemed like something only certain people could look at the right way. "I see..well, if there's anything I could do while I'm here I'd be more than happy to help." He wasn't sure there would be but it wouldn't hurt to offer.

Oh wasn’t he sweet, “Thank you it’s soooo nice to know that students are so helpful and care about my kitties.” She smiled towards Connor to show how happy she was that he would watch out for her cats. “Dogs are just lovely. They have a way of making even the darkest days feel better.” She loved all animals, but there was something about the cute little noses of puppies. “I think you’ll love a cat though or a Kneazle. Have you ever thought of one of those? Both are wonderful pets for the castle.”

She had never been over to the states, so she hadn’t seen Salem, but from what Connor described it seemed to be missing out. “Pity” Was all she really could say about it. “Well at least you get to see everything here. Do you like Hogwarts better?” She was just curious as to which he preferred. Her hand reaching up to pat the creatures head, “They are very interesting. Usually so calm and love their apple treats. Don’t you.” She smiled leaning towards it. “Professor Thompson is a great man, he’s awesome when it comes to creatures.” She wasn’t fully promoting her old classmate now was she? There was always something about Javy that made her see him in the best lights.

She just shrugged at his questioning, “Most don’t believe it’s a gift or a talent. They think Divination is not a form of magic at all. Though it is and it’s a great thing to be able to have the ability for it.” She turned towards him more fully leaving the horses to their snacks. “Do you like Divinations?” She sensed he could be good at it, but did he like it. That was always the question. “If they get out like they say they are going to, then you might be able to help Professor Thompson round them back up.” He would need a bit of help if they tried to leave.

She looked towards the other boy and smiled, “Henry is very social. He enjoys people, he’s even let a few ride him. If you get permission from Professor Thompson I bet Henry would let you go for a ride.”

He nodded, of course he would keep an eye out, who would want to leave a poor cat stuck in a tree? That was just mean. "Yeah, i would hate to have him up there." He couldn't understand why any student wouldn't? "I think i'm better off with a Cat, i have some old Muggle friends from back home, so if they came to visit i think hiding a Kneazel might be a lot of work." He chuckled at the thought of trying to keep one hidden.

He thought about the question, really thought about it. Which did he like more? There were things he liked better about both schools, but he had to say that over all he was liking Hogwarts better so far.. "I think i like it here better, there's a lot more to see and do. The school work is a little more challenging but i like the challenge." He stepped closer to the creatures, they did seem rather calm, reaching out slowly he wanted to pet one on the nose, Connor was curious what it would feel like.

"Well, that's a little silly in my opinion. What makes one form of magic more believable than another? Maybe it's because i've spent a good deal of my life with muggles but, i don't understand what makes any magic less real than another?" He turned away as she did and shrugged a little. "I suppose? Like i said i don't dislike it and i believe it's a real as potions or tansfiguration. So my mind is open." Connor wasn't sure how to help in that event, he'd ridden a horse but never a Thestral...was it the same? He hoped so. "Do you have an idea when they'll get out?"

This boy was proving to be super sweet, but she wasn’t surprised. It seemed that most of the students she had run into were all super sweet. “Well I think he’d appreciate your concern as much as I do.” Her eyes turning back to the Thestral. She listened as he spoke and nodded a bit, “Kneazle’s aren’t too hard to have around muggles really. They are very smart and will know when they need to stay hidden usually.” She always had the highest faith in Kneazles. There wasn’t one that she had come across that didn’t seem to know between wizards and muggle.

She turned to face him again as he talked about the school. “So wonderful to hear. I love that our school gives you the challenge you need. It’s just a-mazing what type of education you will get here. “ Her old school was full of great life lessons as well as academic. She just hoped Connor could appreciate it as much as she did. “What do you feel are your favorite classes?” He wouldn’t mind her asking, would he?
This boy was surely getting to be enjoyable now wasn’t he? Look at him sticking up for her talents and specialty. “My point exactly.” Well she was certainly seeing great potential in this one. Yes, she would surely be seeing him in her class for sure. “Gifts are amazing things if you use them correctly. I hope to see you in a lesson or two.” Or all of them, yes she hoped to see all her students in all of them. Looking back at the Thestral, “When it gets colder.” Though wasn’t it cold enough already? “Winter seems to have come so early this year. I never remember being this cold.” Not this early at least. “I don’t see them going far, but just getting out trying to get away from whatever is making them give me a headache.” She rubbed her temples. It wasn’t just them, all the animal actions and thoughts that she loved being connected with lately were just making her anxious.

Glancing back at Connor she gave a smile, “It’s probably time to be heading back to the castle. It’s probably getting later and by the feel colder.” No need for a student to freeze out here.

Connor nodded, thinking about it. But he was still leaning more toward a cat, that's what he and Elodie had agreed they would go and pick out, and he'd hate to seem wishy washy. "I'll keep that in mind, Professor." He replied though because he wanted to be kind and polite, she was a nice teacher.

He thought about the question, he liked most of the classes. They were better than his classes back at Salem, even the boring ones were more entertaining. "I really like all of them, Potions is interesting. I haven't been to one of your classes yet but i'm sure i'll learn a lot. I like Defence Against the Dark Arts too." But what 15-year-old boy wouldn't? It was all about learning of danger and how best to fight it. He shivered a little thinking of the cold. "Really? I thought it was just me. I'm not used to the cold, not at all." He chuckled a little bit and then nodded. "Right, we probably should get back. Well..i probably should anyway. Thank you for telling me a little about the Thestrals, Professor."

So he wanted a cat which wasn't a bad thing, she did have two of her own. She just liked to make sure students knew they had options. "Very well." She gave him a nod as she gave her last apple to the Thestral. "They do love apples." Which she loved feeding them.

"Ah potions, that is always one of the more favorite classes I think. Professor Culloden seems to be an interesting man." No doubt he was very well educated and kept the students interested. He liked Defense against the Dark Arts, well Cassie wasn't surprised. A Gryffindor boy, she wouldn't have guessed anything else. He was being nice again too, "Well I hope to see you in my lesson and we will find out." The blonde was feeling a bit nervous about her first lesson.

Shivering and pulling at her cloak she made towards the door. "No, it is cold this year." Something about winter coming early, muggles had a saying about it, but what was it? She just couldn't remember too cold she figured. "It was no trouble Connor stop by my office anytime you have questions." It would be a lot warmer than talking out here that was for sure. With that she headed back towards the castle. Tea or Hot Chocolate was the biggest question on her mind.