The stables. This is where some of the most awesome magical creatures were at. Adi wanted to find the Hippogriffs the most though but first he'd have a look at the different breeds of winged horses.

He was reminiscing the lesson from last term where there had been a race with the winged horses and which he and Benny had ended up winning. Speaking of the Dragon...where was he? The two friends were supposed to be meeting him here at the Barnyard.

Deciding Benny must be talking with Angel or something and had forgotten about him, Adi proceeded closer to the rows of stables.

Oh, he was so running late.

Benny had gotten distracted in the task of taking the long way around the grounds to bask in the crisp, late summer weather that he had lost track of time. And nowit was near the time he had planned to meet up with a certain Hufflepuff by the animal habitats they both loved. The lion rushing to the stables though careful to slow as he neared so as not to scare any of the creatures within or nearby. He certainly didn't want that and risk ruining the planned excursion or worse...get in trouble with the COMC professor.

"Hey..." he said as he spotted the familiar form of his best friend just ahead of him. The boy falling into step beside Adi once he was close enough.

Adi was wondering if he would soon come upon any stable that seemed empty but in actuality, they held Thestrals when he heard the all too familiar, calm voice that belonged to his best friend of two years. "Benny, hello.'' Adi grinned broadly. "A bit late as usual,'' he joked though he didn't mind at all. Benny was mostly the one who arrived second to classes of the pair.

Oh wait. On second thought, maybe the Hufflepuffer did mind. Why, you may ask? Maybe Angel was taking up Benny's time. Thoughts of that kept popping into his head and it wasn't something he could help.

"So,'' Adi continued, determined not to spoil anything because of his silly thoughts and insecurity. "How are things with you? It's good to be back, isn't it? Are we going to be having a race with the Winged Horses? Or just have a ride for fun?'' Questions one after the other as usual from him. Hehe.

He had the decency to look apologetic about being running late but he didn't say anything of the sort. Adi knew the reasons that certainly tried their best to delay him even if he attempted to get earlier starts to all the traveling. "All those stairs are killer." Benny loved the classes and environs of the outside but as a Gryffindor, they were practically the farthest points away from each other. After quidditch matches it was only adrenaline that could help one trudge back to the dorms.

Race or ride...race or ride? Benny muled over the ideas, both appealing to the fourth year. "I think just a ride for today," he finally answered. Get them back reacclimated to the creatures and vice versa. Plenty of time for racing over the course of the term. Besides, just being close to the creatures was exciting. Now they just had to decide or at least see which creatures were willing to join them.

Benny looked regretful about something and Adi figured it had to be for being late. Adi didn't mind the lateness. He was a patient Hufflepuff, after all. "Look on the bright side. It'll help keep you in shape.'' Always he had to find a positive side of stuff. Adi had a vision of Benny puffing up and down the stairs. "Too bad you can't hop on a dragon and fly down.'' Now that would be super cool!

As Benny thought over the two alternatives, Adi studied the horses. If they were going to race, he was going to choose an Granian. If they were just going to ride for fun, it would most likely be the Abraxan or Aethonan. Ride? Okay. "That's fine by me. Hey, Benny. You think the Hippogriffs are here?'' Hippogriffs were not technically Winged Horses but he had figured they might be close to the Winged creatures. He'd prefer to ride a Hippogriff, anyway. "Which are you going to choose?'' Decisions, decisions.

SPOILER!!: Adi

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Benny looked regretful about something and Adi figured it had to be for being late. Adi didn't mind the lateness. He was a patient Hufflepuff, after all. "Look on the bright side. It'll help keep you in shape.'' Always he had to find a positive side of stuff. Adi had a vision of Benny puffing up and down the stairs. "Too bad you can't hop on a dragon and fly down.'' Now that would be super cool!

As Benny thought over the two alternatives, Adi studied the horses. If they were going to race, he was going to choose an Granian. If they were just going to ride for fun, it would most likely be the Abraxan or Aethonan. Ride? Okay. "That's fine by me. Hey, Benny. You think the Hippogriffs are here?'' Hippogriffs were not technically Winged Horses but he had figured they might be close to the Winged creatures. He'd prefer to ride a Hippogriff, anyway. "Which are you going to choose?'' Decisions, decisions.

Haha...very funny.

If that was true, the Gryffindors and the Ravenclaws should all be the most in shape students at the school. And the best at quidditch because of it. When they played. The thought of the cancelled sport left a small pang but there was nothing he could do about that. But oh how he wished he could do what his best friend was suggesting. Not to mention it reminded him of what went on at the bridge with the other boy. "If only." Getting from one place to another would be soooo easy.

"They might be..." he said with a shrug. Winged horses were the closest creatures in the school's collection so it might make sense to house them together. "Abraxan." It was a simple enough choice having been paired with one when he and Adi had raced in the class last term. Maybe he could try and see if he remembered which one it was and ride him or her once more. Though as he followed Adi looking them all ober, he was able to distinguish breeds not individual creatures.

If only indeed. Adi noticed that Benny seemed to be back at speaking little words. Was it something to do with him? Was he boring or something and that made the Lion not want to speak much? The thought made Adi ponder. "So, how are things with you and Angel?'' he asked casually as he examined an Abraxan. The winged horse was eyeing him back and he wasn't sure it was a look of trust. Moving on.

The Hufflepuff approved of Benny's choice. "Granian for me,'' he said, opting for the fast winged creature. At least this one was looking back at him with anything that wasn't mistrust. Goody. This one was perfect. "So I suppose we saddle them up now.'' There were saddles back at the double doors on shelves. Adi bustled off to fetch two.

SPOILER!!: Hippogriff fiend

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

If only indeed. Adi noticed that Benny seemed to be back at speaking little words. Was it something to do with him? Was he boring or something and that made the Lion not want to speak much? The thought made Adi ponder. "So, how are things with you and Angel?'' he asked casually as he examined an Abraxan. The winged horse was eyeing him back and he wasn't sure it was a look of trust. Moving on.

The Hufflepuff approved of Benny's choice. "Granian for me,'' he said, opting for the fast winged creature. At least this one was looking back at him with anything that wasn't mistrust. Goody. This one was perfect. "So I suppose we saddle them up now.'' There were saddles back at the double doors on shelves. Adi bustled off to fetch two.

Benny was greeting another abraxan, making a soft clicking sound as he reached cautiously to touch his forehead. "Um...it's...interesting," he said, gently rubbing the creature who seemed accepting of the friendly action. A good thing if one wanted to interact with said winged creature. Abraxans might not be as feisty as hippogriffs but they deserved the same respect.

The Gryffindor bit his lip knowing his answer probably wouldn't satisfy his friend but he wasn't sure just how to put it all into words other then out and out confessing the kissing going on between them. He wasn't quite as open about it as Adi and AJ were since they kissed out in the open with witnesses like he and Ian. Ugg....Ian. "Yeah, we probably should," he agreed with a nod, pushing thoughts back to their flying pursuits. Benny let go of his companion long enough to retrieve a saddle from the Hufflepuff who had fetched them.

"What of you and AJ?" he asked, opting to return the favor. Maybe it would distract his friend from his previous inquiry.

Adi approached the selected Granian. "Hey there, big fella,'' he said softly, reaching out to pat the winged creature on its head. In return, the Granian stood quite still as though judging the fourth year. But hey, at least it was letting itself be pat. "How are you? Want to go for a bit of a ride? To stretch those legs of yours?''

He looked over at Benny, an eyebrow arched. "Interesting? How is it interesting? Details, Benny, details.'' Why was it that his best friend couldn't speak more like he had around Angel back a the Feast? Adi looked back at the Granian, frowning.

Okay, saddling time. Er..."A little help, Benny?'' Adi wanted to do this right lest the Granian decided he could not be trusted with the saddle and kicked him into oblivion or something. He had never saddled a thing in his life and so he hoped the Lion over there had some idea of what to do.

Oh, Adi had stuff to tell about him and AJ alright. But he wasn't going to give up what had happened recently between the two of them so easily. Not until Benny spilled his details first. "I asked you first,'' the Hufflepuff said, casting his friend a grin. Well, even if Benny would not give him details, Adi would eventually tell him where he and AJ now stood. He just had to have a bit of fun first.

And there was the inquiry delving further into his answer about him and Angel. Benny had expected it and thus had started thinking about just what be something he could say. "We...kissed," he finally answered, offering a brief glance at his friend as he awaited the reaction that was bound to come. "On the lips." The cheek had happened over the summer and was old news.

He was just about to try and saddle his own ride when Adi asked for assistance, the lion resting his borrowed saddle on the ground and carefully joining his friend by the Granian. "I think you need to rest it on his back and use a charm to keep it in place," Benny mused as he tried to be friendly himself to the creature so he'd be okay with him as well as Adi.

"And she gave me a stuffed dragon holding a rose," the Gryffindor continued, dropping more information. Adi hadn't been swayed to divulge news without first hearing stuff. So now they had both kissed each other on the cheek and the lips and given the other a gift of meaning and significance. They couldn't get away with claiming they had stayed the same as they were before.

Adi's hand froze in mid pat of the Granian's head. Oh no, oh no. There was that sinking feeling in him again. But at the same time he was feeling happy for his two friends. Heh. He was seriously confused about what was going on in his head. Resuming the patting of the winged horse, Adi turned to look at Benny. "I knew you liked her back,'' he said forcing a smile. "You kissed her first?'' What did it matter anyway? He quickly looked back at the Granian. In a few months time he'd be Bennyless/Dragonless/guy best friendless.

Okay. That sounded simple enough. His mind still racing, Adi ceased patting the horse and reached down for the saddle. Placing it on the creature's back, he asked blankly, "What spell's best?'' His mind didn't seem to be functioning properly.

"That's cool. So you guys going steady now?'' Sigh. He should fight the insecurity, he really should. But it was eating away at him. Plus, he had totally forgotten he should return the favour and tell Benny where he and AJ now stood.

Was that how it worked? Those around you, especially those closest to you, were better at noticing your true feelings before you. He and Angel had sensed things with Adi and AJ and now Adi admitted the same for the two lions. "Uh huh..." It had been a brave move on his part yet he had done it. First...only to be answered a few moments later by Angel when she opted to share her own reaction to the situation.

Helping his friend with the saddle, he was perhaps a bit preoccupied to see that Adi was off with the way he was reacting to the news. Or else his friend knew him well enough that he knew how to fool him with his acting. Whatever the case, Benny didn't question what he was getting. However he was questioning his own mind on the spell he himself had mentioned just earlier regarding the flying horses. The saddle seemed okay and secure on its own. "Well, maybe its more for the bridle if its needed."

And then they were back to relationship talk. "I guess so. At least dating." Going steady wasn't exactly what he thought of when they had been talking and going over things. "Need any help getting up?" he offered even though the Granian wasn't as tall as his own choice of mount.

"You did?''Adi asked in surprise, jerking his head towards his friend once more? He had asked the question without really thinking on it but it had turned out to be true anyway. His shy friend was coming out of his shell Adi knew what a big step that was for him. "Can I ask you something?'' Being one to always say what was on his mind, keeping this to himself was eating away at him. "You'll still have time to hang with me, right? Not going to be spending all your free time with Angel?'' Adi had kept his eyes on the Granian all the while he asked those questions, probably too afraid to see Benny's reaction.

He just kept quiet now and watch Benny working to help get the saddle all right for him. "Thanks,'' he said gratefully when the other boy was done. "And nope. I think I've got it covered.'' As if to prove the statement, Adi swung his one leg comfortably over each side of the Granian. There. All settled. "You'll need help though. Should I levitate you?'' LOL. "Or I could give you a boost.'' On the relationship topic. "That's great.'' The Puffer tried to look happy. Did that smile cover that? Anyway. Since Benny had told him...stuff, Adi decided he should return the favour. "I'm dating AJ.''

SPOILER!!: Hippo-Boy

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

"You did?''Adi asked in surprise, jerking his head towards his friend once more? He had asked the question without really thinking on it but it had turned out to be true anyway. His shy friend was coming out of his shell Adi knew what a big step that was for him. "Can I ask you something?'' Being one to always say what was on his mind, keeping this to himself was eating away at him. "You'll still have time to hang with me, right? Not going to be spending all your free time with Angel?'' Adi had kept his eyes on the Granian all the while he asked those questions, probably too afraid to see Benny's reaction.

He just kept quiet now and watch Benny working to help get the saddle all right for him. "Thanks,'' he said gratefully when the other boy was done. "And nope. I think I've got it covered.'' As if to prove the statement, Adi swung his one leg comfortably over each side of the Granian. There. All settled. "You'll need help though. Should I levitate you?'' LOL. "Or I could give you a boost.'' On the relationship topic. "That's great.'' The Puffer tried to look happy. Did that smile cover that? Anyway. Since Benny had told him...stuff, Adi decided he should return the favour. "I'm dating AJ.''

Ben nodded his confirmation, a little bashful on the whole situation. Especially when Adi seemed surprised by his confession. He knew it wasn't like his normal self, or at least how he had been. Bold was not the lion's usual behavior. He tentatively looked over at his best friend when the Hufflepuff asked him for permission to question, the lion himself feeling it was Adi's way of trying to push further. "I guess..." he said at first before listening as his companion continued with his questions.

Oh.

That was what it was about.

"Of course..." Benny answered without a second thought, noticing how it was now Adi looking away. "Can't get rid of me that way." Nope, Adi was stuck with this dragon as long as he wanted. The Gryffindor honestly couldn't see his life without the Hufflepuff. Especially when doing what they were currently doing...delving into their mutual love for magical creatures.

"You're welcome," he said, moving back towards his would-be mount once Adi was up on his own. Except the obvious difference between the two flying horses was now more prevolent when his friend mentioned it. Not so much an issue when racing sleds but definitely something to consider now when riding atop an abraxan. "That might be necessary," he agreed, taking out his own wand to carefully raise the saddle in place.

"Easy there..." he said soothingly to keep the horse from being frightened. Especially when Ben nearly stumbled when Adi blurted out his own relationship news. He waited until he had lowered the saddle in place before turning back to his friend. "Congrats."

"You're a Lion. Brave Gryffindor. You've got the courage somewhere in there,'' Adi mused, now back to petting the Granian. Yes indeed. Benny may be all shy, soft spoken and quiet but there was a boy completely the opposite of the current Benny waiting to emerge. Adi wondered how much he would like that guy, should he emerge. This Benny was awesome.

Adi slowly turned his head towards the Lion once more. That question had been answered super fast. As if there wasn't the need for thought to be put in. "Really?'' he asked, immediately starting to feel better. He even let himself grin. He believed Benny. Yep. "Good. For a moment you had me worried there.'' A moment? Try since last term. Being insecure was stupid. These two would be besties for life. There was no Adi without Benny and no Benny without Adi.

Adi laughed as he pictured himself levitating Benny up onto the Abraxan. "I might drop you,'' he joked. Nah. He wouldn't let that happen.

His Granian was shifting its weight. Probably itching to go for a walk. "In a few minutes, bud,'' Adi reassured the winged creature. Ahh. Poor Benny was surprised at the news. Adi could see that in the sudden movement. "Thanks.'' Grin. "It's weird isn't it? Best friends dating identical looking girls, I mean.''

So sayeth Adi and before him...the sorting hat. Though Ben sometimes doubted the bravery that supposedly resided in him. However he couldn't get away with not admitting that it had been courage that helped him admit his feelings to Angel. To take those final steps on the fourth floor and in the library, confirming what his bestie was in fact saying. He was growing up...or at least into himself.

"You never need be," he mused in reponse to Adi's comment. Did he really believe Benny would leave him...replace him with Angel? There was more chance of Adi leaving him for AJ given they were now best friends AND boyfriend and girlfriend. But he wasn't going to mention it and trying not to dwell on that imagine lest he be the jealous one.

Drop him? Benny raised an eyebrow. "I trust you." Besides him himself was more likely to drop himself given the angle he would have to work with. He was better floating on a broom than his own leviation spell. And judging by the movements of both creatures, it should likely be now rather then later.

"You're welcome." At least it seemed like the right think to say to his friend's thanks. "I guess it is," he admitted thinking about it. Granted the looks were the same but the sisters weren't. Not by a long shot. "Makes it easier in some ways," Benny mused as he calmed the abraxan, preping it for their ride.

Adi couldn't help but grin broadly. Hearing that from Benny really did make him feel better. Shoo, insecurity. You're not needed here. Go find someone else to bother. Hehe. "Awesome,'' he said, probably looking like a big goof sitting atop a winged horse with a smile so wide. "Just in case you're wondering, you don't have to worry about that either.'' Adi figured Benny wouldn't be worried about something as petty as that but still. He was just throwing that out there.

"Eh...you're serious? I was kidding about the levitation.'' The Puff's spell work wasn't bad but what if he dropped the bestie? He puffed out his cheeks slightly and blew out air upwards, ruffling his hair above his forehead a bit. "Okay, bro. Don't say I didn't warn you.'' Wand in hand, he aimed it in Benny's direction. "Wingardium Leviosa!'' The Gryffindor rose from the ground. Concentrating fully, Adi carefully made his friend rise higher, then above the Abraxan before gently lowering him on the winged creature. Phew! "Your trust remains intact,'' he joked.

"Makes what easier?'' the Puffer asked curiously. Just then his Granian took a step forward. "Let's go, Benny. This fella really wants a walk.''

Benny noticed a slight change in his friend but finding it to be a positive one he didn't question Adi. Was it the assurance he wasn't going to leave him? The Gryffindor was briefly reminded on the instance with Adi and Angel at the Whomping Willow last term. But his bestie was better now about it....right?

"Yeah..." He had the faith in his friend, not registering it might have been a joke. It was a logical solution to the height problem after all, good as anything else that might have come to mind. Though he had to admit he was a little nervous now as it was clear Adi himself wasn't quite sure of his spellwork. That and it did indeed feel weird being levitated =, Benny trying to pretend it was his broom doing it in the end. "Thanks," he said as he settled into place, his mount clearly ready for that walk just as the Granian was.

"Its not like that Valentine's Day...we both have someone." They could split the time with each other and their respective girlfriends and keep it even without feeling left alone. And then there was more reason to all be together since the two duos, besties and sisters, now made two more. Or a quartet. As for their planned trek, the Abraxan didn't need to be asked twice, starting off and heading out of the stables area.

Had it just been him or did even Benny look slightly apprehensive about the Levitation? But Adi was sure he had put that apprehension to ease since Benny was now safely sitting a top the magnificent winged creature that was an Abraxan. And man, did Adi feel like a dwarf sitting on his Granian next to Benny and that winged horse. Abraxans were A LOT bigger compared to the Hufflepuff's winged horse of choice. "Not a problem,'' he responded, craning his neck so that he looked uppp at his best friend. "See? My spell work isn't that bad as you think it is.'' Hehe.

Ohh, Benny was talking about that Prefect event two years ago. "Didn't you sit at a table with a ton of girls?'' Adi couldn't quite remember but he seemed to recall Benny talking to a couple of girls. Meanwhile, he himself had been with Sophie. That seemed ages ago. Meh.

Adi urged to Granian to follow Benny and his Abraxan friend. The Abraxan may be huge but it wasn't going to intimidate neither the fourth year nor his Granian. "Bet I make out of the stables first,'' Adi called out as he urged the winged horse to a gallop.

Winged Horses.

He was sure that THAT would impress Mr Charms Professor Man. Mmhhmm.

This whole photography assignment was neat, and while he was positive that they were being graded on their ability to charm the photographs, he wanted to make sure the Professor didn't get bored of looking at their photos too. So.. yeah.

Having come directly from the Whomping Willow, Zeke entered the stable with a casual pace, peeking into the stalls and observing the creatures that were present. Which one was more photogenic? Hmmmm? ...

Eventually he decided on an Aethonan. It was pretty and smart looking with it's shiny chestnut coat, definitely worthy of a photo. He extended his hand to the creature as it popped its head over the door - clearly this was a sign that it wanted to model for him, no? "Hey fella," he whispered to it, stroking his muzzle gently. Heeeheeee. "Want a pretty picture?" he asked it rhetorically. For a short moment he fished around in his bag again, and then held the camera up so he could focus the image into the square/rectangle thing. Because he didn't want to startle the horse, he made sure to cover the flash bit with his palm while his index finger on the other hand clicked down on the capture button. The soft noise and the photo paper told him the job was done... or at least, half done.

"Thanks bud," he said to the horse, giving it another pat and showing it the image wondering if it even understood. Meh.

Withdrawing his wand from his pocket, and placing the camera back in his bag, Zeke focused his attention on the photo - determined not to make the same mistake again.

"Alacer," he recited the incantation clearly, tapping the photo with his wand.

And VOILA! Moving horsey photo! Cool beans. The horse in the image shook out its mane and blinked at him.

Once he put it in his bag with the rest of his things, Zeke gave the Aethonan one last pat and then left to find the next subject of his photos.

Kace then walked down to the stables. He wanted to take more pictures of animals. He loved the idea with Charlene. He saw the little first year Zeke was thinking along the same lines. He smiled and got his camera ready. The winged horses were near the back of the stables. He needed some way to get the horses near him. He clicked his teeth and whistled but nothing did the trick. He decided to use food. He got some food from the stables and held it out. It took it and ate it. He pet it and smiled. "Do you mind if I take a picture bud?" he asked kindly. It seemed more focused on the food than him. He smiled and took it as an invitation.

He got his camera ready in picture taking pose, he held his finger over the button and saw the winged horse look at him. He took the picture of the horse looking at him. This was gonna be cool. He got the picture from his camera and put it on the ground and was gonna do the charm. He got his wand out of his robes and tapped it, "Alacer!" and then his photo was starting to move. He saw the horse looking down and then up at the camera.

Now this photo was cool....

Toby's next stop was down at the stables. It was freeeeeeeezing out here, and Toby was regretting not stopping to grab a scarf on the way out of the castle. He was at least wearing a jacket, which was fastened right up as far as it would go.

At least he reached the stables, and was able to pull his coat down from where it had been covered his face. In here, at least, there was more protection from the elements. Not exactly toasty, but better.

Toby headed to one of the stables in particular, feeling as though he should probably check to make sure all his toes were still there later, because the cold was making his feet icily numb to the point where he couldn't really feel them. The Hufflepuff reached the stable door and peeked inside at the two Abraxans that lived there. They were sooooooo biiiiiiiiiig. And beautiful.

"Hiiiiiiii."

He stepped up, using one of the planks of wood that went across the lower half of the door as a narrow step, so he could see inside a little better. Using his elbows to keep his balance, Toby gestured to his camera.

"I'm just here to take a picture, 'cause you're so pretty and all. It's for Charms homework. Y'know, that's what Thompson's fiancé teaches." Just so they knew.

Toby raised the camera and clicked it to take a picture, lucky for the lack of a flash; animals could be iffy when camera flashes went off, after all.

With the picture still sticking out the camera, Toby waaaaved at both winged horses.

"Thank you, I'll be back another day," he reassured them, climbing back down and taking the picture from the camera, and then kneeling down to the floor like he'd done with the last photo. He layed the picture out on the ground, tapped it with his wand, WILLED THE SPELL TO WORK, and said, "Alacer!"

... SUCCESS! In his picture, the two Abraxans stood there, on swishing its tail, the other moving its large head around curiously.

Two in a row! Boy, Toby was getting good at this. He grinned to himself, took the picture, and happily made his way out to find photo subject number three.

The idea to take a photo of one of the winged horses had suddenly struck Lux so she immediately made her way over to the stables once she left the lake.

Choosing the horse she wanted to take the picture of, she saw that it was at the back. Making clicking sounds, she held her hand out thinking that might do the trick. "Here, horsey. Be a good girl and let me take a photo of you." WAS it even a girl? Lux had no idea and hoped that she wasn't offending the horse.

Didn't matter too much, since her attempt failed anyway.

Looking around, she spotted an apple. AHA! Horses love apples, and this one seemed to do the trick. Smiling, she watched the horse eat before taking a photo of it with her camera. "Good girl!" she said as she caught it in her hand. Tapping the photo with her wand, she used Alacer to animate it.

"What a good horsey." She affectionately petted her. Horses were so pretty and Lux loved them.

Adi led the way to the all too familiar Stables. In his hands, he was clutching his jar of fairies and feeling very much unhappy about having to return them. Behind him came the strange, tea obsessed Benny.

The Puffer located the table which they were supposed to leave their jars. He was wondering if there might be a chance he would see them again. He raised the jar up to his eye level. "So, guys. I've got to leave you both here. You'll have Benny's fairies for company though.'' He grinned at the fairies. "In case I don't see you again, it was nice knowing you and I'll miss having you in my here.'' He set the jar down. Adi could hear buzzing coming from them. Were they telling him bye?

Adi looked around at Benny. The other boy remembered what he was supposed to be doing, right? Adi seriously he wasn't thinking of tea right now.