Why was it that every time Collarbin decided he needed to talk to her she felt the need to question her past actions? Even when it wasn't so bad it was still bad, like casting away her Prefect Badge with hopes to never see it again. Welp, she never saw it again but she didn't mean it like THIS. Head Girl, who's bright idea was it anyway?

After a brief run over of her history, she came to the conclusion that at the moment she was perfectly innocent and didn't have any new firsties calling the man Collarbin so.......casual, if not curious strides took her toward the wooden bridge. Did he have more potions to give her? WOULD THEY MAKE THE WORLD TASTE LIKE CHOCOLATE FROGS TOO?? Merlin that'd be amazing....even if it had her finishing her candy bag twice without noticing over the summer. Seriously addicting and no....side....effects....

What the kneazle????

Alexa drew immediate brakes, stopping at some distance from the bridge and just STARING. What....even...? She felt the colour leave her face at the words put up to hang but forced herself to begin walking again, until she'd come to a stop by the Professor. "Hello Professor.....what's...this....?" The sign, she meant the sign that was actually really sweet and you know what? Kid might have been having an ego boost under the slight freaking out, wow, ahem.

The sun felt SO nice on her skin, and it was hard to believe that last year this had all been covered in snow. It was almost as if it didn't happen. It was gorgeous out here. If only AJ's mood matched the sunshine. She wasn't necessarily in a bad mood, but she was still off. Matter of fact she had been off ever since the conversation she had with Adi at the feast.

AJ wandered around aimlessly and before she knew it she was at the wooden bridge. The second year sat down and hung her feet over the side of it. The breeze felt nice on her face, and she allowed her eyes to close.

Weeeeell? Wasn't she coming to the BIG surprise? It'd actually TAKEN him some time, seeing as charms was his least favourite subject, so she'd BETTER -

THERRRRE she was, looking around goofily like a fish right out from the sea. He grinned at her lazily, then.

"This," he gestured at the papers, is celebrating your badge! The one you were so willing to get rid of last year. Wanted t'give you some morale boost t'make sure you don't get stupid ideas later. 'Sides, who wouldn't want to be on your good side now, hmm?" He laughed briefly and shook the bag of chocolate frogs teasingly.

What did she say?

Adi seemed to be spending a lot of time out on the Grounds. Not that he minded. Last year's weather had not permitted much of that during that time. He had no idea where he was heading but soon he found his feet leading him towards the Wooden Bridge. Cool! Here was one place he hadn't hung around as yet.

It wasn't long before he noticed one of the Valentine girls. Angel or AJ? Adi edged closer, his face lighting up when he recognised AJ. He stood for a moment watching her. She had her eyes closed and she seemed to be enjoying the sunshine and breeze. He thought she never looked more beautiful.

The fourth year sat beside his favourite girl, his feet too dangling off of the side of the bridge. "Hi, AJ.''

It was just as she feared thought, celebrating a badge she hadn't wanted. Though if she was being honest, she rather liked the idea of being in charge of the school, she was you know, solely in charge and all. They might have given Jun the Head Boy badge but she still called the shots and took orders from no one. He could be a figure head for all she cared. This.....was like her empire and they were all her minions sent forth to do her bidding. The more she thought of it this way, was the more the idea stuck.

"Stupid ideas? Me? Pfffft. Keep Kevin on a tight leash and I'll keep this badge forever." Had to be said. The Headmistress had said Kevin wasn't her battle to fight and she'd come to accept there was nothing she could do but hex him dead when no one was looking. Collarbin had mentioned being sneaky, yes? But even then, there was always that one gaping Firstie that WOULD see and Azkaban wasn't really her thing.........too confining.

The bag of chocolate frogs shaking before her brought the widest of grins to her face. Just looking at it, she could taste the chocolate and feeeeel the sugar running through her. Sweet Merlin. "Eeep! Consider me totally and completely morally boosted for EVER." She squealed, snatching the bag from his grasp with a savagely greedy look in her eyes.

Of course, she wouldn't forget her manners. Lex lowered the bag and latched on to the Professor, giving him a HUG. A proper hug. You got these when you delivered bags of chocolate frogs and told her she was the best. Natural response and all. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

BEAM.

Just as she was good and lost in thought she heard her voice. Without even opening her eyes she said "Sup Adi?" Oh yes, there was absolutely no question as to who that voice belonged to.

She took a deep breath in and swiveled her head towards where she felt him sit down. Finally opening her eyes, she gave him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "What have you been up to?" Most likely thinking of how he was going to make that girl his girlfriend. She felt a pang just thinking about it.

For lack of something better to do, she started to kick her feet back and forth. How much longer did she have with Adi before he was somebody else's boyfriend?

Adi noticed AJ had not opened her eyes when she greeted him. Obviously she had become much familiar with the sound of his voice. "Nothing much. Just here to soak up the sunshine.''

She was smiling at him but the smile was all wrong. Adi could feel it much more than he could see it. "Something's bothering you,'' he said without hesitation and ignoring her question. He knew her too well not to notice that. "Since the night of the Feast I noticed. One moment you were all happy but the next it changed. What's wrong?''

Adi continued to watch AJ as she started to swing her legs. There was no way he was going to leave her alone without her telling him what was bothering her.

It seemed like he had the same idea as her. AJ intended on spending as much time as she could outside while the weather was still nice. She tilted her head back and let her hair, that was actually down, fall behind her as the sun warmed her face. "Isn't is nice?" The only thing that was missing was a cleared head, but that was going to take some time. If she ever managed to get over it at all.

Why did Adi have to be so perceptive? "What makes you say that?" Oh, the feast. She really didn't want to tell him the truth, and yet she wasn't one for lying. Plus, Adi would most likely see right through a lie. "I guess I just have a lot on my mind. I found out that after Ian tried to hex me AND successfully kissed me that Abby was all buddy, buddy with him." In fact she was flirting with him. "Did you know that she slapped Angel over it all? Angel was just trying to take up for me. It was a good thing that I wasn't there." She would be in detention for sure. Okay, so that wasn't the main reason why she was in a funk, but it was partly true. AJ just hoped Adi would believe that it was all.

Her feet stopped swinging as she tried to read Adi's face. Was he convinced?

"It is. I just don't intend on getting any more brown,'' Adi said in a light tone. Light brown was okay enough for him. "The breeze is way better though.'' There was a good amount today and he was very much enjoying it as it hit his face or tussled his hair.

Adi listened to AJ go on about what was bothering her. He felt so sorry for her and all that had happened. He was very much glad Ian, the cause of all this trouble, was gone. Maybe Adi would have forgiven him in the distant future (possibly many years from now) but if the Hufflepuff had stuck around, he would have found himself short of two friends. Adi and AJ. Not to mention Angel and Benny would not have tolerated him. Throwing a hex at someone who had their back turned was just wrong.

"Yeah, I heard about Angel and Abby.'' These Valentine girls were quite something. "Hang on...'' Adi paused, the wheels turning in his head. "You weren't at the Gryffindor table when all that happened between those two. You were with me at the Hufflepuff table so that's definitely not what upset you.'' The Puffer looked back at AJ, his expression serious. "I said something that upset you, didn't I?''

"You can tell me. Go on. I know for sure it's not only the whole Ian-Abby-Angel thing that's on your mind.'' Was it just him or was this the most serious conversation he and AJ had ever had?

The second year looked Adi up and down, not that she needed to because she knew what every inch of him looked like, and said "You are already the perfect shade. You don't need the sun like I do." She was not that light since she had spent her whole summer outside, but as soon as she couldn't lounge out in the sun she would be pale all over again. "It really is." Her hair swirling in the wind was proof enough of that.

Good. He had heard about Angel and Abby so that meant that he had every reason to believe that was all that was wrong with her. "I can't believe that Abby took Ian's side knowing all of the facts." Sure, later on Abby came to her and said that she was wrong, but Abby was still mad that Ian left. AJ was her own flesh and blood, and she took up for some crazy kid. That hurt.

Gulp. As it turns out, Adi wasn't buying her story. She didn't think that boys were normally this aware. What was she going to do? There was no way she could tell him it bothered her that he was going to get a girlfriend. AJ promised herself that she would never go there again after what happened to her last time she said she liked him. "Umm..." How was she going to stall AND be convincing?

"I really don't think I should." Why was it hard to keep eye contact with Adi all of a sudden? "I just mean that it's nothing. I was just really tired and overwhelmed with all the drama, and maybe I got too sensitive over something you said." Too much, AJ... shut up! "It's nothing. I'm all better, see?" She forced a huge smile on her face.

Eden giggled and clasped her hands over her mouth. "SOWWWWY--" she said, muffled, and then looked down at her feet, still smiling. "I like being DANGEROUS. Living on the WILD side." She said and kicked her shoe against the wood, scuffing it a bit. Oops? "I knooow I would try to save you, too, you know." She nodded and winked. Yep. She enjoyed Isla. And she liiiiked her, too. She was a good friend so far.

"She is just as...funny as you. And I'm pretty sure she enjoys pranks, too." She said. BB was such a fascinating girl. Eden liked her, too. Yep. "Right. I can help you do that. We just have to...not get caught. " The smirk across her face was EVVVVVVOOOLLL. "Do you have anything in mind yet?" Because Eden was better at producing results, not coming up with the ideas. Her creative juices were ZERO and she just liked to follow orders. Though...she could lead...she could. if she felt like it.

Okay, so, the blush on Isla's face answered Eden's question instantly, but Eden just raised an eyebrow. "Hm." She watched her friend VERY closely. "Well...seeing as you LIKE him and all--" she smirked knowingly, and waited for Isla to deny any such crush. but Eden was TOTALLY dumb. She could tell. "I don't know how you know what he says--" she said, and faced away from her again, looking out at the foggy scenery surrounding them. Eden had serious issues knowing what the boy was saying...

"Nah. I sound uneducated when I talk normally." She shrugged. "I try not to sound too Irish." No big deal. Especially at Durmstrang, where most of the kids were Slavic or some sort. Irish was not something she wanted to seem. She glanced over at ISla again. "I..I'm all right. I miss Mam and Dad...and my dog, Roddy." She sighed. "And I miss Eddie--Avto--Zach--" she named some of her friends from Durmstrang. "Eddie the most." She bit her lip and blushed. Thinking of Eddie also made her think of PHOENIX though, too, and she didn't want those confusing thoughts right now, okay?!

All this conversation about the weather and their skin tones wasn't going to get AJ out of telling him what was bothering her. But he really did understand her feeling all hurt about Abby taking Ian's side. "It's like being betrayed,'' he said. "But don't worrry about it. It'll all be back to normal soon. Plus you've got Angel and Benny. And me of course to keep your mind off stuff.''

Adi waited patiently for AJ to open her mouth and spill what really was on her mind but that didn't happen. Also, he didn't miss when she looked away from him. "As much as that smile might fool someone else, it wouldn't have the same effect on me.'' He reached out with his left hand, cupped AJ's chin and turned her head so that she was facing him. He couldn't do anything if her eyes didn't meet his though. "Come on, AJ. You know you can tell me anything. What did I say at the Feast?''

The poor guy was trying to remember what the two had spoken about but that was proving to be quite a challenge since they had talked and joked about so many things. Help him out here, AJ.

Looking up at the Head Boy, Charlie grinned and stopped her legs from swinging. "I don't think it's surprising, really," she contemplated, running her fingers along the hem of her skirt. "I think you might have gotten Prefect earlier, you know, if Nigel hadn't been." Which made it almost a shame that the older boy hadn't left earlier, but things worked out in the end, right? She was pretty glad she hadn't even been considered for any role herself: Selfish was the word this year. Her, her, Newts, Tristan, her. They were her sole focus', really.

That, and helping Lincoln and Pretty Pi, but they were the only two that even made her consider responsibility. Raising her eyebrows a little, Charlie considered her next words carefully. "Vin mentioned you going to Disney Land, and doing auditions -" Or whatever they were called. "Wasn't that in the least bit fun?"

"My summer? It was amazing. Thanks. I'm kind of sad to be back." Change the 'kind of' to an 'extremely' and Charlie was totally telling the truth.

He got it. "It's exactly like being betrayed. She's my sister. I would of had her back. I would have done anything for her. I would have..." This wasn't helping her mood whatsoever so she decided to let the subject drop. "It doesn't matter now. She made her choice." He did have a point. Things were bound to go back to normal. "I know. Thank you for that. I'm so thankful for you all." What a lucky girl she was to have such awesome friends, and ONE awesome sister.

AJ knew better, she really did. Adi knew her like the back of his hand. There wouldn't be any fooling him. "I know... I thought I would give it a try anyways." Even if she knew she would fail at trying to deceive him. At his touch she completely melted. That butterfly fluttering feeling that she normally got was intensified. Her whole body felt like it was electrified. Her eyes locked on his and every feeling that she had tried to brush off came back full force. "I know I can. I just don't want to mess this up." Again. The last time this happened the pair went without speaking for months.

His eyes were boring into hers, and words were coming out without any kind of restraint. "I just don't want to lose you to another girl. I know that sounds dumb, and I want you to ask out whoever it is so you can be happy, but I... I just hope that you still have time for me." And please don't ask out another girl.

Adi just listened as AJ spoke. He wanted her to let everything out. It would make her feel better even if it were just a tiny bit. "I know you would have.'' He could tell that the triplets were close. Especially AJ and Angel. He grinned now. "We're thankful for you too. Especially me,'' he added, looking at the Lion straight in the eye.

He just shook his head. "That's something you would never get away with you know.'' Come to think of it, if he tried the same thing on AJ he would not get away with it either. That was how well they knew each other. Adi had no idea the effect his action was having on AJ. He was just so determined for her to tell him what was eating at her. He hated to see her this way. "Nothing's going to mess us up,'' he reassured her. "I promise.'' He had learnt his lesson last year. Staying away from this girl made him miserable.

For a moment Adi was silent. So that was what was eating at her. "I'd always have time for you no matter what. You're one of my best friends so how could I not?'' He really did understood what she meant because he was inwardly going through the same battle due to the fact that Angel and Benny might start gong out soon. But yeah. It was totally his fault he had made her upset. Maybe he should have just told her right off who the girl was. "Don't you want to know who the girl is?''

It made AJ feel a little bit better hearing Adi say that he knew she would be there for her sisters. Even though she knew he felt that way it sometimes made you feel better hearing it out loud. "I just hoped she sorts out her priorities." Or else AJ wouldn't be hanging out with her much. A real smile was given to her friend this time. "Do I complete you?" she teased.

"Not with you anyways." She most likely could have pulled her story off with anybody else, other than her sisters, and gotten away with it. That wouldn't slide with Adi, and honestly she never expected it to. How could he promise that what she was telling him wouldn't mess them up? She knew from experience that it would. "I really hope not." The second year wouldn't be able to cope with being Adiless again. She would lose it.

While listening to his promises of always having time for her, AJ still wasn't convinced. "You say that, but I know how people get when they get into relationships. Look how Angel did me over Benny and they aren't even a couple." She was no fool. "I'm sorry. I'm sounding like a baby that doesn't know how to share." AJ took a deep breath. "I just want you to be happy." Whatever that was the lion was just going to have to deal with it. Did she want to know who the girl was? Was he trying to rub salt into her wounds? "No." She would be perfectly fine without knowing for a little bit longer. "I'm sure I'll find out soon enough."

Adi couldn't say anything about the priority part. He didn't know what had went on in Abby's head when she chose a certain Hufflepuff over her sister. A grinned broadly as he recognised the real AJ when she smiled. "There's the AJ I know. You know you do.'' Shoulder bump!

"You know it. So don't you go trying it again. I'll just see right through it all again.'' She hoped not? Adi arched an eyebrow. "Don't you trust me?'' Because he could swear things would be different this time around. The last time stuff had just taken him by surprise and both him and AJ had been unsure about how to handle it. Well, their solution had been to avoid each other for a few months and be awkward. Meh.

"I'm not Angel,'' the boy said, now reaching out to grasp AJ's right one with his left. "No. It's nice knowing that you like having me around.'' It gave him more confidence that by expressing his feelings to her he was doing the right thing. "I'll be very happy when she becomes my girlfriend.'' Adi's confidence was up so much that he had used 'when' not 'if'. "Oh come on. You already know her.'' It was probably bad that he was making her feel a bit more sad but he just couldn't resist the teasing. Typical Adi.

Who could be in a mopey mood while being around Adi? AJ sure couldn't. She still had no idea where they stood, but she was going to enjoy his company while she still could. He already had her smiling and feeling a little bit better. "You just bring out the best in me. I can't stay in a bad mood around you." Even if she was losing Adi to another girl. "You complete me too, ya know." And a shoulder bump back to him. She couldn't leave him hanging.

A genuine smile was back on her face. "I wont. I know you don't cut me any slack." Just like AJ wouldn't let Adi slide because she knew him too well. "Besides I don't keep anything from you." Except for this little thing. "Of course I trust you." Other than her family there wasn't anybody that she trusted more. In fact AJ trusted Adi more than she did Abby at the moment.

"I know that." And it really wasn't fair that she compared him to her. When he grabbed her hand, she gazed into his eyes. "I'm glad because I really do like hanging out with you." He was the person that she preferred to hang out with over everybody else, but no need to sound clingy. When she became his girlfriend? It sounded like a sure thing then. "She'll be a very lucky girl," she said not quite meeting his eyes. Ugh, ugh, ugh. She did not like this game. Please don't let it be one of her friends. "You really don't have to tell me, Adi." Wasn't this a conversation he could have with Benny? Spare her, please.

Adi was pretty glad to see AJ cheering up. See? They could make each other feel better. There was no doubt now in Adi's mind that they belonged together, that they could make this more than friends thing work. "You know it's the same when I'm with you.'' It really was. Something about this girl made him all happy (well, happier than usual). "I'm glad,'' he responded. Really, he was very much pleased.

"I don't either except for one thing. I'll get to that in a moment though.'' He will. After he put his words together. "Good. I'm glad you do because I'm sure when I tell you what I need to, I'm sure we won't repeat what happened last year.'' Adi had wanted to show AJ the thing he had made her over the summer but with classes and stuff, they hadn't gotten much free time. But she could see it later. What better time than to tell her what he wanted to for months now?

"No. It'll be the other way around. I'll be the luckiest guy in the world. Because I have fallen for my girl best friend.'' Still holding on to AJ's hand, he continued. "You're the girl I was talking about, AJ.'' And there! Adi had finally confessed. He waited for AJ's reaction, full of confidence. Only positive thoughts here.

The goofy grin that was reserved only for Adi was on her face, and it wasn't coming off anytime soon. He promised her that he would always have time for her, and she believed him. This could work. This could definitely work. "I know you can't get enough of me." She pulled an Adi and stuck her tongue out at him. "But seriously, I'm really glad too." She squeezed his knee with her free hand.

Except for one thing? "You're keeping something from me?" What could he possibly want to keep from her? It most likely had to do with this other girl, and AJ had to resist rolling her eyes. With his next words she was completely confused. What did him telling her about the other girl have to do with them not speaking for several months? And why was it going to be different this time around? She had so many questions. "Just tell me." Get it over with. Maybe she would be able to hold in her emotions until she got away from him. Not likely, but she could try.


He fell for his girl best friend? "But, that's me--" Oooohhhh. Time stopped. It completely stood still. How long she stared at him she wasn't sure. Was this really happening. The two of them were actually on the same page for once. "Me?" It still wasn't sinking in. She felt like she was on a roller coaster that just dropped fifty feet. Could he hear how fast her heart was beating? She only hoped that her hands didn't start sweating. Don't lose your cool, Valentine. Keep it together.

"So sure of yourself, aren't you Valentine?'' Adi asked as he tugged on her nose. But she was right of course. He loved having her around. He laughed when she stuck out her tongue. "My habits are rubbing off on you I see. And that hurt,'' he joked referring to the squeeze.

"Well, I have been. Since the end of last term,'' Adi said. "I didn't know what to make of it because of the stuff that had happened earlier at the Lake.'' Oh boy. Looks like he'll be confessing soon. She asked for it...

Though he was trying to be serious here, Adi couldn't help but grin. "Yeah, it's you.'' AJ was staring at him, obviously in shock from this revelation. Hmmm. Maybe he should revive her, bring her back into the real world. Leaning towards AJ, Adi gently kissed her on the lips for the second time. This one lasted a tad bit longer than the one in Sugarplums and you could say it was more passionate.

When he pulled away, he looked her in the eyes. "Will you be my girlfriend, AJ?''

"I am." She was a pretty confident person in general, but especially so when it came to Adi... for the most part. Well, if you didn't count the little 'other girl mishap'. "It's hard for them not to when we are constantly hanging out." Not that it was a bag thing. You wouldn't hear any complaints coming from this lion. "Toughen up, Rehman." She was easing back to her normal ways with Adi.

That seemed like a long time to be keeping something from her, and AJ couldn't help but to be curious as to what it was. The lake? This was SO confusing. "Okay. So just tell me now." AJ was having a hard time putting the pieces together because she was so set on Adi telling her who the girl was. Never in a million years did she think it would be her.

He confirmed it. It was her. She was the girl. "Really?" All of that worrying was for nothing. She wasn't going to lose Adi at all. If anything she would be getting more of him. If possible her heart was beating even faster now, but it was nothing compared to how it took off when he leaned in for a kiss. This time around AJ didn't fight it. There weren't any punches or tackles. Instead she closed her eyes and kissed him back just as passionately. AJ was on cloud nine. This felt right.

When he broke the kiss, she just gazed at him. The next question brought the butterflies right back. They were dancing in her belly. The lion had no idea what being a girlfriend would entail, but she did know that she wanted in. With possibly the biggest smile AJ had ever worn, she said "Yes!!! I would love to be your girlfriend." All of the stress melted away. "Oh Adi, I was so worried that you were going to ask somebody else to be your girlfriend." THAT was what had been eating her up.

Soon the days would be colder again and after last term Vinnie definitely had enough of that. So she definitely needed to enjoy the warm days for as long as they lasted. Maybe she would just lay under the tree by the lake and watch the sun light wash over the water...and read or something. Something relaxing. Last term hadnt been relaxing at all. In no possible way.

As she reached the wooden bridge the brunette took a moment to look at it. It still fascinated her. It was so majestic. With a smile on her face Vinnie stepped on it. Such a lovely place....maybe they could host a part here? Late night? Secretly of course. Hmmm....

Lost in thought the girl stopped walking and just stood in the middle of the bridge.

Maya hadn't really explored too much outside of Hogwarts yet. She'd just been getting used to things. Everything was so big here, and she wanted to get used to stuff. It was not good for a sixth year to be getting lost all the time. Not that she intended to do that for too long. She hummed to herself though, as she finally decided to go outside. It was going to get cold soon, so she wanted to look at the grounds whilst she could. Maya didn't really like the cold, and she new that Scotland was going to get a lot colder than France ever did.

The blonde frowned a little as she watched a girl stand in the middle of the bridge. Well that was rude. Didn't she know that people wanted to get past. "Umm....excuse me."

"True. Some things don't need to be rubbed off though. Like my awesome sense of humour. You stole some of that, AJ.'' LOL. He like to constantly tease her about that- her stealing some of his personality. "What did you do? Lift weights over the summer?'' He was still teasing her. She hadn't squeezed his leg hard at all.

Just like AJ had told him to, Adi told her what he needed to. He'd never forget her reaction. The shock on her face was so apparent. He reasoned she had thought he would ask out another girl. Well, that was his fault she thought that as he hadn't given anything away as to whom the girl was.

This time their kiss was different. Adi didn't spring it on her just like that as he had the first time so AJ wasn't shocked out of her wits. Yeah, this was definitely the right moment to kiss her. "What, no punches this time?'' he asked when they had pulled away.

The Hufflepuff's face brightened the moment AJ said that very enthusiastic yes. Oh gosh. This had to be one of the happiest days in his life. Yep, definitely. "You've made me one happy guy,'' Adi said, slipping an arm around his new girlfriend but still best friend. "I figured that was the reason. I'm sorry I made you all sad over it. I wanted to surprise you. Though I can say I did that anyway.'' He began to swing his dangling feet just as AJ had earlier, still smiling broadly.