Aidan was having one of those surreal out-of-body-esque moments. Sort of. He was just killing time before classes and everything just felt out of place. Or he felt out of place. Or maybe he just felt alone.

The seventh pulled out a small notebook and quill he had tucked into his back pocket and slid down against the Slytherin hourglass. He squinted his eyes, sucked on his quill and just sat, people watching.

What else was there to do?

Cutty was horrified to find that the contract that he'd signed to use the Muggle Studies lab was still valid and binding. How dare that Professor Hadley hold him to things he'd agreed to last year or the year before or even two seconds ago. He had a feeling, based on the wording in the waiver that something quite obnoxious would happen to he that disregarded the agreement. There had to be a way to hoodwink that. The boy could've asked him mother, but he hadn't the blindest idea that she'd know how to do such a thing.

Not that he planned to do harm to any of the equipment in there.


If anything, knowing how to get around magic proved useful time and time again. No trace, you see. He passed the hourglass display and managed to catch the deducted points from both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. His monkey's brain had a bad idea just then as he passed it by and headed for the grounds.

After wolfing down a decent amount of breakfast food from the Great Hall, Ethan decided to take a nice, long stroll along the hall that will lead him to the grounds. He liked this time of the term, where everything is still quiet. The silence was slowly fading though, as more and more students came out of their holes, very much decided to headbutt the first official day of school. He, however took a double take at the Hourglasses as he walked pass it.

Merlin’s pink underwear. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor’s score.

Ethan blinked, and tried his best to keep his face placid at the wonderful sight. Besides, there was a boy who clearly belonged to one of the houses who earned negative points. “What…in the name of Merlin happened?” he asked casually as he examined the Hourglass.

This was a good sign. A really good sign for the Slytherin prefect.

Samantha had decided out of curiosity to see how the house points were going. She looked at them and groaned. Her house had about ten sapphires missing and she remembered why this was so. She then heard from the Slytherin prefect.

Samantha walked up to him and said, "There was a huge fight between two sisters at the feast. The Ravenclaw, Abby slapped the Gryffindor, Angel hard across the face and Angel retaliated. I think that is what happened. It wasn't pretty and I hope things get sorted out because usually they are very close."


Samantha sighed. This wasn't the way to start the year and she was disappointed in the girls but it was their business and maybe they each needed to cool off.

Interesting. Really interesting.

Ethan peeled his eyes off of the rubies and sapphires to face a girl who started talking to him and the other boy. Wait, what? Who? The prefect crossed his arms as he listened carefully to this information. He can bet on his life that such incident will be published really soon on the next issue of the bloody gossip paper called Aparecium. Well, at least it wasn’t going to be him this time. Ethan remained silent, for he didn’t know who on earth was Angel and Abby. He may have seen them in classes from last term, but he can’t match the names with faces.

“Slapped each other?” Ethan blinked, surprised at the news. “…in front of the staff?!” No wonder points were taken off of them. He ought to be not surprised though. This girl just told him that the other girl belonged to Gryffindor. Merlin, what is UP with that house? “You witnessed this yourself…?” What’s her name? “Wait, are you new?” He had to ask. It was his business to know who’s who around this school.

Samantha nodded grimly. "They did fight right in front of staff. I saw most of the incident and I am certain that Aparecium has written a little story about it. I know that Abby, the Ravenclaw is very upset and I pretty sure that any gossiping by Aparecium is going to make things worse."

She then got asked if she was new and she smiled to herself. She could understand why she was at times asked that as she had spent her previous school years not really socialising. "No, I am a fifth year. The name's Samantha."

Ethan grinned and shook his head. "Aparecium. That bloody gossip paper..." Although for sure, it would be the least of his worries for now. He's got goals set this term, and not even the Aparecium can stop him. "Can you tell me exactly the reason why Abby is upset?" Ethan just had to take his chance since she was already ratting everything to him. It surely will help him to look out for troubles like those, and prevent it from happening in his own house.

His mind momentarily drifted towards the Newell twins, Grayson, and their fight back at Florean's. Ethan, will not tolerate such actions in case they decide to get physical. No one will get hurt under his watch. Not when he's the prefect.

Oh. Not new. Oops. Kinda awkward, it was.

Ethan immediately stuck out his hand for a handshake. "You must be really quiet during our lectures." Ethan grinned apologetically. "Ethan Mordaunt, fourth year Slytherin."

Sam had a feeling that she was starting to say too much so she thought carefully about her reply. "I am not entirely sure. I suppose you're bound to get upset if you and your sister fight when usually you're close. However, I am sure things will work out for the best."

She shook Ethan's hand with a smile. "I do tend to keep quiet during classes. I am someone that prefers to get my school work done."

Ethan shrugged. "I don't have a sister or a brother, so I guess I'll never know," he said as he looked away thoughtfully. He can't seem to remember fighting with any of his cousins too, because he rarely talks to them. Mordred was the only one he considered, and he will hate himself perpetually if his cousin got mad at him. "But I don't like it when my friends fight in front of me." Seriously, they can do it somewhere else. Having to deal with that kind of situation didn't sit well with him. Ethan then wondered how Lex and Jasmine were handling their charges at the moment.

"A true mark of a Ravenclaw, I believe." Ethan replied, this time, his thoughts drifting towards Josie. "You will be taking your OWLs this term, right?" Being a fifth year and all? Meeeh. OWLs. He'd have to take those NEXT term.

"I am also an only child so seeing siblings fight is a new experience for me. Also, Abby and Angel are my friends so I am having a little bit of trouble with things," Sam told Ethan referring to the fact that she was feeling like a sideways yo-yo.

Samantha nodded as Ethan mentioned OWLs. "I will be taking the OWL exams and I am feeling nervous about it. Family pressure, I guess."

He's got the same issue with Grayson and the Newell twins. Hopefully the three will get to sort out things as quickly as possible. Though, if they needed his help, he will try his best to rectify their problem. He's their friend first, and their prefect next. "Maybe you should go comfort them. You know, to help yourself too." It's a two-way thing, Ethan believed. "I mean, it's hard to see friends fight over something silly, so I guess telling them that it's affecting you as well just might help resolve the problem." Ethan logic. Yup.

Nervous? Well, she's made to sit and excel such exams, given that she's in Ravenclaw. "You're an Eagle. You'll do fine." Ethan nodded, and scratched his temple thoughtfully. "Are your parents former Ravenclaws? Why the pressure?" Oh yes. He's got questions. Mhm.

Samantha listened to Ethan's suggestion, thoughtfully. It was a good idea and something she had attempted. "I have talked to one of them and made my feelings known. I think time is what is needed for this to be sorted out."

Samantha then shook her head at Ethan's enquiry about her parents. "No, my parents are from Salem, Massachusetts. Mother attended a top magic school there by the name of the Salem Witches' Institute while Father attended the Salem School of Sorcery. They were one of the top students in their respective schools. The thing is, my parents are not only book smart but they have worldly knowledge and good instincts. I think muggles call it street smarts."

Sam sighed and continued on. "They're confident people and I am a shy person."

"Oh. That's good then. At least you did your part as their friend." Did she feel any better though? And time? Yeah, maybe they needed a lot of time to cool down, knowing that that the sisters decided to smack each other's faces. Ethan would have suggested Samantha to keep her eyes on the siblings so they won't cause more point deduction. But then, he had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from doing so. Technically the friendly race towards the House Cup was on-going, and he will note dare share his tactics with an 'enemy'.

Then they were now in the subject of parents. Ethan had to facepalm himself mentally for bringing it up.

By the looks of it, it seems that Samantha came from a Pureblood family in America. "That's interesting." he said as he stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "Attending a different school from your parents should alleviate some of the pressure." But that's not the real issue here, yeah? "Do they expect high marks from you? Or...did you impose such standards on your own accord?" There's a big difference.

Samantha smiled. "Well, I did try my best with the situation and that's all I can do."

Samantha had not been asked about her feelings towards her education in such detail before. "I suppose attending a different school helps with relieving the pressure. I guess that I do put the pressure on myself but it stems from my parents successes. Seeing old school reports and accolades can make me feel inferior."

Ethan simply gave a nonchalant shrug this time. "It's up to them really." That was actually the tough part. Friends can be stupid at times, and they often fail to see the bigger picture. But what the heck. She did her best, so there's that.

Oh, so the pressure is somewhat self inflicted.

"Well, you said your parents are smart. That makes you one as well, although you may have a different strength compared to them." Ethan was sure that her parents would appreciate her no matter what. She ended up in Ravenclaw and that says a lot. "Why don't you stop looking at their accomplishments, and start to build your own?" This was the point where Ethan got lost. Ravenclaws were the smart ones, and it never made sense to him as to why they still feel inferior despite their smarts.

Samantha was amazed at how wise Ethan was. "What a mind you have. I think what you are saying is very logical. Maybe I should do try and achieve something that relates to my interests," she said as she thought about incorporating her love of art into something more.

Ethan can't help but feel smug about her compliment. He can be weird, but if he needs to be logical, then he can be one. The fair-haired boy managed a grin and nod towards her compliment.

"That's the spirit! You shouldn't hide underneath your parents' shadow." No one should, actually. They are all different, and they can be brilliant on their own. "Interests, you say? Do you mind sharing with me what your interests are?" He was genuinely curious. What else could a Ravenclaw be interested in? Aside from reading books and studying?

Samantha beamed when Ethan asked her about her interests. "I simply adore anything to do with art. I like to spend my free time drawing sketches of the castle. It helps with easing stress."

She should hang out with Mordred. Too bad he's a graduate already. "I have a cousin who likes to draw. He even showed me some of his sketches, when he was still attending Hogwarts." Ethan could not believe that it was years ago...when he was still what...seven? Eight years old, perhaps?

"Do you happen to like solving puzzles?" It was a Ravenclaw thing, but then again, Samantha may not be inclined to puzzles since she's a different kind of Ravenclaw.

Samantha thought about it for a moment and then shook her head. "No, I am not a fan of puzzles. I think they can be a bit boring at times. I am more the creative type."

Don't look at the Hourglasses, just keep walking. The Great Hall was close enough and she was hungry. No need to annoy herself before lunch with the hourglasses. Someone remind her why they had to be in the way. Of course she'd have walked right by them without so much as a hesitant step but then--Aidan! Lex stopped dead in tracks and took in the Ravenclaw sitting by the Slytherin glass. "If you're jumping ship you've got to be a Gryffindor. It's only fitting." She said, deciding to spare a minute, or three or just take him with for lunch.

Lex flopped to the ground next to him and peered curiously over at his notebook. Taking notes on.....

The people standing over there maybe? She couldn't see why. Didn't sound like they were saying anything that might interest him. "What are we talking about exactly?" She asked, leaning forward, propping her elbows on her crossed legs as she stared on. They could continue, it'd just be nice not to be lost if she was staying.

Also, "Hi." She leaned closer to Aidan, eyes still on the two. "Er...what are we doing?"

Noel TOLD himself that he didn't really care about the points but he still found himself strolling toward the hourglass after breakfast. Because he had heard on the table that Ravenclaws had already gone in the negative direction.

And Noel wanted to seee it himself.

Sure enough, the thirteen year old couldn't help but laugh at the -15. Suddenly Noel was REALLY curious as to why Ravenclaws lost points already.

Oh she's different. Ethan was slightly taken aback by her response, that his brows went up just a bit. The blond boy loves puzzles too much, that he finds it offensive when somebody's not a fan. "I see." he said finally, giving her a nod of understanding as well. "I like solving puzzles more than anything. I like it when my brain spats theories and such." And it helped him a lot in his classes. Yep!

Ethan turned to see the Head Girl approach them, and gave her a two-finger salute. "Hey Lex." Why was she here? Ethan wasn't sure, but he can bet on his life that she wasn't there for the Hourglass points.

And what are they up to? Nothing really, "We're just..." Ethan trailed off as he fixed his school tie and cleared his throat. "♫♪Getting to knooow youu! Getting to know all abouuut youuu!...♫♪"

Samantha saw an older Gryffindor, the Head Girl, no less, approach her and Ethan. When asked what the two of them were doing, Sam indicated between herself and Ethan whilst saying, "We are being sociable, aren't we, Ethan?"

Samantha felt that she might have offended the Slytherin so she quickly said, "I admire people who can do puzzles but they're not my thing. I mean, everyone has different interests. Why follow other people's stereotypes regarding school houses?" That last sentence was a reference to when she had got called a nerd by her cousin when she was in her First Year. Sure, it was a joke but it still hurt.

When Ethan began to sing, Sam had to stifle a giggle.