If anyone cared to ask why he wasn’t getting enough sleep as of late, it was because of the first Prefect Event he helped organized. Lex had appointed him and Marigold to man the Hippogriff rides, and he was really looking forward to it. Hippogriffs are awesome, and he was more than pleased to be stationed in the area.

Sitting on top of one of the covered barrels, Ethan waited for the brave souls to ride the magical beasts, and have a grand time. He’d probably go and ride one after everyone had their turn, but for now, he’s just going to wait and watch—secretly hoping that everything will run smoothly.

Yup. What can actually go wrong?

Stop two before the Gryffindor resigned herself to the roasting area. This was yet another thing she figured she'd need to get done today. With all that planning, she'd made a mental list and it would all get done...except the water sports. She didn't fancy getting wet then needing drying spells and the whole nine yards. It just seemed like a lot of effort. Maybe if she got bored enough later before the fireworks happened but yeah...she'd pass on that.

Lex approached the station, keeping a close eye on the Hipporgiffs as she did. They were behaving nicely, see? Thompson had absolutely NOTHING to worry about...unless an idiot showed up and forgot the manners bit...but she wasn't in charge of this station, so it wouldn't have been her problem. Nope.

"Hey Ethan." She said casually as she tried deciding which of the Hippogriffs, she'd be riding. He didn't have to bother getting up. Having led the planning, she knew how this worked. He could save his energy for the one's they been doing all this planning for. Hmmm, maybe the one with chestnut feathers....

And the first brave soul have arrived.

Of course it's going to be a Gryffindor, and it's the Head Girl, nonetheless. Ethan twirled his wand between his fingers, a grin was plastered on his face as he watched the seventh year approach. The Slytherin sat up straighter and gave the older girl a salute. "Hallo Lex!"

Well, she knows what to do, yes? Ethan need not worry about her. She can definitely manage on her own. Her companion though...

Dot wasn't sure she felt safe dealing with a Hippogriff by herself, especially as a second year who wasn't allowed in Care of Magical Creatures classes yet. She desperately wanted to go for a flight, any any any flight, but this was a little scary.

Dot scurried to the front of the line to stand next to Lex, and then she casually took the older girl's hand. Now they were partners. See how easy that was?

"I want to go with you. Will you show me? Take me with? PLEASE? What if you say no and I die and my mother cries for a hundred years? Do you really want to make my mother cry?" The answer, obviously, was no. No one wanted to make mothers cry.

Marigold hurried down to the Hippogriff rides as quick as she could, just after checking up a bit on the other stations. This was, after all, partly her doing, as a prefect, and it was her first time, so she was (understandably) nervous. Coming in sight of the pen, she walked quickly and saw that Ethan was already there. "Hey," she said, nodding at him as she unwound the bag containing dead animals - treats for the hippogriffs - and placed it on the ground between them. She leaned back against the fence and observed.

When you paid excessive amounts of attention to hippogriffs, you tended not to notice little Second Years scurrying over like it was no one's business. That was the case right now. After finally deciding on the Hipporgiff she'd take for the ride she was all set to approach when a hand latched on to her own.

What the kneazle?

Lex spun slightly to see if she'd be needing the Professor's wand to take care of a problem but as it turned out it was Dot and the Snake got a grin, one that slowly faded in the haze of all the sudden questions. Whoa. "How much sugar have you had today and in case it's a lot I'm proud of you." Had to get that out there before they were any further with this.

"But sure, you can ride with me and I'll show you how to not die. After 7 years I like to consider myself an expert on that." Alexa looked to Ethan again, gesturing that she'd be taking Dot with her before turning to the younger girl again. "First things first, you gotta slowly approach with caution--but not too close." By way of demonstration, Lex took only enough steps to get the creatures attention. "Now you bow, like this," And a bow from the Gryffindor, "but keep eye contact the whole time." Like what she was doing. See? Now she should try while the Hippogriff was still making up it's mind.

…and his suspicion was right. Dot had scurried towards the front, and got hold of Lex’s hand like a lost child. Ethan watched them with curiosity as they conversed and was distracted when Marigold showed up. Oh good, she’s here! Did she…bring any food? Like…an apple or something? They will surely be staying in the pen for a long time, so there he was hoping she’s got food. “Hey there.” Ethan gave her a nod and eyed the bag of dead…things inside it.

So much for a tasty apple. It looks like she didn’t bring any edible stuff for them to munch on.

Ethan caught Lex’s gaze and figured that Dot was going to ride with her. Well, that shouldn’t be much trouble because the little girl is in good hands. Ethan gave the Head Girl a thumbs up and watched her gave a demo.

So far…so good.

Eden was delighted with the event. It had....so much FUN stuff. ANd she just wanted to do it all. She wanted t CLIMB the rock--ride the hippogriffs--and FIREWOOOORKS. Ah. Fireworks. Eden loved 'em. Question, though, would be if Phoenix was around to WATCH the fireworks with. OR would Clara hog him for the fireworks? Eden didn't see why they BOTH couldn't watch fireworks with Phoenix--but whatever. She's just see how it all played out.

There were a FEW people in line for the hippogriff riiiiides. SIGH. Eden was a bit bouncy right now, too, BECAUSE EXCITEMENT. Her blue eyes scanned the area--there was the head girl with some younger student..and then Mordred...and Marigold...whooh for being surrounded by prefects. They had done SUCH a good job, though, really. Eden applauded their SKILLZ. Hehehe.

Riding one of these beaautiful creatures would be better with someone else..but...alas, she HAD no one else here right now. Clara hadn't wanted to come just yet..so Eden was ALONE. Bugger. But Eden tried her best to be patient with her friend because the girl just..didn't like to be around a lot of people. SO here she was. Alone. But excited, nonetheless.

She grinned and shot a wave at Ethan, though. HI ETHAN. And then Marigold got oneee whoooooh!

David was definitely eyeing that rock climbing over there - he wanted to try that. BUT he also wanted to ride a hippogriff because that sounded awesome.

So here he was.

And...was this a partner thing? Because he did see Lex and another younger girl pairing up, or at least it seemed that way. Or maybe that was just for the really young students? Hmmmmm...

...maybe. But maybe partnering would be fun. And Eden looked like she was partnerless SO this could work.

"'Sup, Eden," he said with a grin. "Wanna ride a hippogriff together?" He would TOTALLY be a good partner. Probably.

Eden was waiting patiently. Very patiently. LALALALA. Paaaatience--patience--and then suddenly Eden WASN'T feeling so patient. In fact, she poked her head out of line to the FRONT of the line...just to see how far back she was---which was not a lot. At all. Like TWO people were in front of. Eden was so..........observant. PFT.

At the sound of her name--OH--she whipped around, saw Peter, and smiiiiled at him. "Hi Peteeeer!" she said and she moved so that she was standing next to him, now. "Oh--sure--" and she was blushing...

BLUSHING.

She didn't know Peter well--she knew him from CLASSES--yet she was still flustered about riding a Hippogriff with a boy. WHATWASTHIS. She was blushy about her BLUSHING. Ugh.

Also, "I didn't know you even KNEW my name." She admitted with a shy grin. Eden was being weird. Some boys just MADE her weird, she realized this--BUT HER FEELINGS WERE FOR PHE OKAY. She just..ugh. boys. Blushing. Boys. BOYS.

...Peter?

Well, it wasn't WRONG obviously, that was his first name. But MEH, still felt weird when people called him that sometimes. Didn't really feel like his name.

He was still grinning though. "I go by David, actually," he pointed out. And she agreed to ride with him. Awesome.

David shrugged slightly at her next comment. "What can I say, I pay attention," he replied with a teasing grin. Plus, after over half a term of classes, it was hard not to know most people's names. Also, Phoenix had mentioned her before? So yeah, he knew names.

Mitchell stepped up right next to the girlfriend. "Hey." he greeted casually leaning back with her. "Hippogriffs, huh?" he asked nodding to the creatures. "Are Prefects just thrust into violent places, or do you guys volunteer?"

"I've had an appropriate amount of sugar considering my height and body mass," Dot patted her stomach happily. Not to say that she hadn't had MORE than her mother would think was appropriate, but it was appropriate according to Dot. Appropriate if she wanted to make sure she ate her fair share.

And Lex was so PROUD of her. They were like best friends now or something. Dot did listen carefully, though. She didn't want to get eaten or anything, and she figured she looked especially delicious with her gingerness going on. Like freshly killed ferrets. Or something. When Lex stepped out of the way, Dot stepped forward too. "Approach with caution and boooooooooows like this. Can I curtsy? Only, I've been practicing the curtsy, you know?" She put her fingers to her eyelids to keep them open while she stayed bowed, and she looked at the hippogriff.

"Does it like me?" she whispered.

Eden bluuuushed more. Well. "I should kn-know that--sorry--" OOPS. Well it was HARD when half the student went by nicknames, middle names, Grandpa's long lost COUSIN'S names--like MERLIN. Eden couldn't keep everyone straight. But now she knew--DAVID.

Right. Eden wasn't so observant..no. "Riiiiiiight." She smiiiiled. "Well--this looks FUN--and I'm a THRILL seeker--so we'll OBVIOUSLY be going as fast as we're ALLOWED to go." And maybe like..pffft, a LITTLE over. Her brown hair swept across her face--WIND--and she quickly brushed it away and glanced ahead anxiously. Her patience...wasn't going to BE there much longer.

AHEM.

"SO...Where's...PHE?" she asked...trying to seem..very casual..and calm about this. CASUAL. HA. Eden was like--never casual when it came to Phoenix. Did the entire school know about she and Clara and PHE? Because if so--wasn't THAT mortifying.

Hadleigh had made it a point to stop at each area of entertainment set up for the Firework Festival. This would be her second stop so far. The first having been the rock climbing wall. It was slow going right now but she was doing alright with it all even if she was doing things alone for the most part. Possibly she'd run into someone she knew and they could ride the hippogriff together cause that would be awesome. If not she'd brave it alone and without fear only pure excitement.

Her father had told her all about Hippogriffs and she just knew she had to ride one! Making her way closer to where they were she stopped not to far away (close enough to be near everyone) and watched the Hippogriffs in silence for a brief moment. She'd have to wait her turn of course and while she did that she'd keep an eye on the amazing animal before her.

She might have decided she wasn't nearly as proud after Dot's declaration that sounded suspiciously like moderation with one's sugar intake but then the happy look and belly patting told her Dot was one of those normal people that over indulged so all was good. "Excellent. Sugar is important to any diet." And some solemn nods.

"I dunno what they think of curtsies though and I've never been inclined to find out." She confessed, eyes still locked on the Hippogriff. "Not sure I'm ready for what happens if it doesn't appreciate it." Being mauled wasn't at the top of her to do list, so....

Lex waited a moment before answering the Second Year, only because she had to be sure so no one would die. When it finally bowed back Lex straightened nudged Dot, indicating she could straighten too. "I think he likes us just fine." GRIN. With that sorted, she walked right over to it. "You need me helping you up?"

Maybe she could try curtsies next time, since the bowing had worked and all. Dot didn't even need Lex to tell her that they were safe, not once the hippogriff bowed back. It was like all the tension went out of the world, and Dot didn't feel like she was in danger any more.

She clapped and bounced along behind Lex, nearly running the older girl over when she paused beside the hippogriff. "I can do it." She couldn't, actually, but she was willing to try. Dot scrabbled up the side of the hippogriff, a foot wedged against the wing and her hands grabbing wildly for feathers before she slid back to the ground.

"Yeah, okay, I need help."

Hippogriff rides!!! As soon as AJ caught wind about this actually being a thing, she ran as fast as her little legs would carry her to where the action was taking place. This was going to be so epic. She had been wanting to ride them ever since the creature lesson where they were the focus. EEP!

Ugh! There was a line. Of course there was a line. You see, AJ was NOT a patient person, and she LOVED creatures, and just MOVE OUT OF HER WAY. "Can I be next please?" Who was in charge? AJ gave her best puppy dog eyes to anybody that would pay attention to her.

The people in front of her were tall, and there was no use trying to peek around them because they were standing RIGHT in front of the action. The second year started to jump up and down in place, but she still wasn't able to see over the heads of those in front of her. Sigh.

Adi was supposed to be meeting AJ where the Hippogriffs were stationed. After a bit, he saw her running towards the creatures. She seemed much more excited about taking a ride than he was.

After checking with Bay, Adi left his post for the awesome creatures that were Hippogriffs. "Hey, Ethan, Mari,'' he greeted the two Prefects stationed there. "Hey, you.'' Adi shoulder bumped AJ. "I thought there must be unicorns around here, at that speed you were going at just now.''

"A ride together then?'' It was almost their turn. "You want to do the bowing and stuff or should I?" It didn't matter to him. He trusted AJ.

A bump to the shoulder brought her back to planet earth momentarily. It was her charming boyfriend, Adi. In all of the excitement she had forgotten about their meeting. "Hey." Her eyes were twinkling. "We actually get to ride them." Petting them was one thing, but actually riding them was another. She laughed. "I wish unicorns were here." That would be beyond perfect.

Oh, could they ride together? "Yeah, let's do that. I want to ride up front." Which only made sense, and Adi was probably thinking the same thing. Nothing wrong with putting things out there though. "I wanna do it." It was safe to say that AJ wanted to do it all. Matter of fact in her excitement she had failed to notice that Adi didn't seem all that excited. Or at least not as excited as she expected him to be.

"Everything alright?" This was totally his thing.

Adi grinned. "We do. Aren't you scared of falling off its back?" He was teasing. He'd be around so she wouldn't have to be worrying about that. "Yeah, but you wouldn't get to go for a ride with them in the sky, would you?'' That's why Hippogriffs ruled! LOL.

He playfully rolled his eyes. "Of course you do. Why am I not surprised?'' AJ was so going to be spoilt because he never minded what she did. Or wanted to do. "Again, I'm not surprised.'' He grinned.

Was everything alright? "Yeah. Just tired, I guess.'' He shoved his hand in his jeans pocket. "Go for it,'' Adi encouraged and nodded towards the Hippogriff.

And more people came! Yep, Ethan saw AJ too, and he remembered the Gryffindor last term with the Unicorns. That was really a sight to see, really. Well, too bad for her because today, they don't have Unicorns, instead they have majestic Hippogriffs to ride on. Pretty cool, yeah? Ethan grinned at the love birds, and added a salute towards Adi. "Hallo, Adi!"

Well, the older student knows how to handle both his girlfriends and the hippogriff, yeah?

Then there was a little Slytherin. Quiet one, that girl. Ethan offered her a grin and a wave. "Hello there." Wave, wave, nod. "That hippogriff's ready...are you going to ride or...?" Did she need his help? If she needs a partner, then Ethan was game to ride with her since Marigold seems to be preoccupied with a boy. Definitely she can stay on the ground with him while she accompanies Hady...

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Then there was a little Slytherin. Quiet one, that girl. Ethan offered her a grin and a wave. "Hello there." Wave, wave, nod. "That hippogriff's ready...are you going to ride or...?" Did she need his help? If she needs a partner, then Ethan was game to ride with her since Marigold seems to be preoccupied with a boy. Definitely she can stay on the ground with him while she accompanies Hady...

Hadleigh was watching Lex and Dot out of the corner of her eye. She had know that you needed to be very careful with Hippogriff's. If you didn't bow first out of politeness and wait for it to bow back then things could go very wrong for you. Seeing as everything seemed okay over there when their Hippogriff had bowed back at them Hady turned her attention back to the other one.

Her studying of the Hippogriff only lasted a moment when she heard a voice talking to her. Waving at Ethan in return she gave a nod of her head. "Hello." She greeted with a small grin and nod of her own. Could she ride alone when she had never done so before? "Am I able to ride alone or would it be best to ride first with someone that has done this before?" Hady asked curiously looking from Ethan to the Hippogriff in question and then back at Ethan once more.

AJ and scared didn't exactly go in the same sentence. "No way. I'll hold on super tight." If anything she was super excited. AJ had zero insecurities about this ride. "Besides I know you won't let me fall." And that was a fact. Adi had a point. "No, I can't but that doesn't make me love them any less." They were her everything and nothing anybody said would make her change her mind.

A few laughs escaped from deep in her throat. "I don't even know why you asked. " More teasing for the boyfriend. "If I rode in the back I wouldn't be able to see over your big head." Okay, so his head wasn't big, but he was taller than her, and she didn't wanna miss a thing.

Then Ethan arrived. "Hey, Ethan." She had never congratulated him on getting prefect. He was so deserving, and she remembered having fun with him in her first year. Nothing like dangling off the older boy's plank to make homework more fun.

AJ eyes Adi for a moment. She wasn't sure if he was telling her the complete truth about his mood, but she would make sure he was smiling before the ride was over. "It's gunna be fun, Rehman." A quick poke to the shoulder before turning her attention to the Hippogriff.

It was finally their turn, and AJ made eye contact with the Hippogriff and made extra sure not to blink. She slowly bowed her head, and the eye contact was still strong. C'mon Hippogriff, AJ was trying her hardest to be patient.