It seemed like her fake-pout did work for Adi. Hehehe... Of course they could do some drying spell for her uniform. It was just her trick because....

SPLASH!!!!

One more big splash for Adi!!! Look who's getting wetter now, she giggled. "Maybe we should swim in here someday." She loved swimming, but she didn't do it much like basketball or football since her family didn't have a swimming pool. They were allowed to swim here, right? it seemed so since there's no 'No Swimming here' sign around.

Part of my duties include ensuring the firsties aren't getting into any trouble and Ava just realized that Adi did mean her. "What? I don't need to get watched, I had promised to my mom not to cause any trouble or she's gonna send me a howler with her Russian shouting." The brunette just couldn't handle her mom yelling with Russian since 1. It makes her looked (and sounded) scarier and 2. She didn't understand Russian so maybe her mother did say some curse words or whatever. "What did my sister say about me?" Because it seemed that Zhenny had said something to him when they met. Cue suspicious look, ehm.

She just grinned when Adi thought that she often got trouble. "Just say that you love hanging out with me more than with Teddy because he pays attention to books more than to people." That's her twin brother. Maybe her parents had to make sure if they both really were twins or one of them were switched at birth. "He's just shy, and doesn't talk much to new people." And she just realized that she hadn't seen him for a while. Maybe she should come to Ravenclaw table and join with him on breakfast like what they used to do before coming to Hogwarts. "And I don't know what my family predicted to Zhenny when she first came here, I was little at the time." She even didn't remember that she had a sister until she was seven or eight years old.

Was the giant squid gonna come if they called him? She was curious. Maybe she and Bentley should try too but apparently Bentley just wanted to take its picture. Okay then. "BARTHOLOMEEEEW!!!!"

Basket? Check.
Large enough blanket? Check.
Basket actually has food in it? Check.
Self dressed up all pretty like because is actually the pretty one of the two of them? CHECK. CHECK. AND CHECK.

Skipping towards the lake, Timmy's blue eyes gazed around for a good spot to sit down and have a picnic date with her bestest best friend ever. Because that's what friends did, right? Go on dates? Either way, she was going to make this a tradition for the two, whether Brian liked it or not. He was stuck with her for life. Or until he decided not to be her friend anymore. But Timmy knew that day would never come. She couldn't be without her person for one day. Everything was boring and uneventful. Not to mention, who was she going to cry on and complain to about her not dancing anymore? Why, mister Brian Woods.

Finding a comfy spot under a tree, with enough shade, Timmy hurried to it and spread out the blanket. Thankfully she was already unfolding it as she ran for the spot. Setting the basket on it, Timmy sat and took out a peach. Which she nommed on until Brian finally showed up for their date.

Its such a beautiful day. The weather was perfect for her to go out and do a little jog around the grounds.

Since her common room was WAY up in tower, Candice had to go through a DOZENS of stairs but thankfully she already done a lot of exercise during the summer. So dozens of stairs not going to stop her from her ritual jogging. She jogged around the lake for a few minutes before she decided to take a break and sat down under one of the trees near the lake.

As soon as she sat down, the Gryffindor took out sugar-free granola bars from her pocket. Because all that running made her stomach hungry.

With a slight laugh, Dalton nodded as Echo spoke. If she wanted to believe he'd missed her, then she very well could. And in a way, it was nice - he had to admit that there was something about this place that he liked. Something that made him feel... Good, if that was the right word. It was a feeling he'd taken a few years to achieve, but maybe he was missing this place, and the people.

Ew. Internal shudder at the 'feelings' stuff. Nah. He was totally just delirious.

"A book." Erm. Probably rude. "About learning to make the best of situations..." He added the latter part pretty hastily, for he was going to try to get on with people this year. And Echo was so nice that it was almost uncomfortable to be a jerk to her.

"Yeah, you do seem to have gotten taller." Taking a moment to glance over at her, Dalt managed a grimace at her next words. "Bet that was boring." Because shopping certainly was, and apparently so too was doing things with parents. Not that he'd know, so he was just reacting how he thought he was supposed to.

Oh, she had family in America? That was something Dalton could actually be interested in, without feigning anything. "Cool, where abouts?" You couldn't lie about geography, and there was no doubt in the fact that the states were ultimately cool.

Brian had been sleeping really soundly up in the library at that window table that had just the right amount of sun to be comfy, partially because he was really tired and couldn't sleep with his roommate snoring through the night, partially because History of Magic was so boring. Really. It was all goblin rebellions and witch burnings but there were no real wars at all. And the wars get had could have been solved pretty easily if they had thought to get the Muggle's help rather than keep them in the dark. Really.

But now he was late for his picnic with Timmy - all her idea, but there's was good food so he he wasn't going to be seen complaining. After dashing down to the kitchens and begging the house elves to brainstorm a peace offering with him, he was carrying a large, cold bottle of lemonade - the pink variety, because the others were meh -with a plastic and rubber stopper in it and he was RUNNING FULL SPEED AHEAD FOR THE LAKE.

Panting a little because he was by NO means the athletic one of the two of them, he flopped down opposite her. "Hi friend," he grinned. "I brought a peace offering. Sooooo sorry I'm late." Please don't hate him, gosh. He had lemonade. And maybe he should explain himself. "I fell asleep. Sorry." Though he was pretty sure she figured that out on her own.

"She did seem nice" he said nodding, "Too bad she's gone now, it might have been kind of fun tricking Jay or....maybe even freaking her out and saying 'hi mum!' randomly." he said with a snicker. Heh, well couldn't rightly do that now, could he.

He laughed harder "Ow!" he gasped but kept laughing and shook his head. "It is funny. Jealous? HAH!" he said and snorted "No way. I mean, man if want to kiss a girl, go for it. I won't stop you." Pfft, he didn't much care for that right then! He was only 12, sheesh!

"Sure" he said finally moving to sit up again or at least lean on one arm and take his wand out. It was practice after all and he wasn't going to use it on another student, so he wouldn't be in trouble right? He was only showing him how to protect himself!

Nemo raised an eyebrow at the crying girl. If she didn't wanna talk about whatever her issue was that was fine. In fact that was better for him. He was never the touchy-feely kind. "Look, i just wanted to make sure you weren't like dying or anything. But you don't need to talk about... whatever.. all of this is if you don't want to." Making sure to gesture to her tear-stained face.

"But you're not dying, then?" Because really he just wanted a nice calm year, no snow-ins or magic books or Chambers of Secrets. Just a nice normal year and at the end he didn't have to come back.

It was a good autumn morning. Perfect for touring the rest of the castle and Owen was already up and about. With a pack of potato chips, the Hufflepuff stepped out to the Hogwarts grounds. He'd done his share of touring and familiarizing the inside of the castle but he haven't had the privilege to check out the outside yet...which he was kinda regretting now as he enjoyed the scenery. Popping another chip into his mouth, Owen closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh air mixed with the smell of the snack he had with him and.....what was that smell? Granola?

He peeled his eyes open and looked around. Where was that coming from? Man, he liked granolas. He liked everything food-related. He followed the trail of the granola smell and reached a tree where he saw a girl who looked older than him...and holding a granola bar! Owen grinned wide. "I knew it was a granola!"

IT WAS ON, AVA!

Luckily his glasses were removed because he was getting SOAKED. He got his wand, waved it so that a mini tide came splashing up on the Lion. Hehe. "How do you like that?'' Ah, a swim! "Yeah! I believe there's a barrier that blocks off how far we can go but it doesn't matter. I would beat you, Ava.'' He winked.

"A promise I see you've been keeping so far.'' Adi approved. It was nice to see Ava could keep a promise to her mom. Annnnd now he was laughing at the thought of her receiving a Howler with a magnified voice shouting in Russian. Awwwh, stop giving him the suspicious look. "She just asked me to look out for you guys to see if you'll need help with stuff like homework, finding your way around he castle and so forth.''

Cue the laughter from Adi. "I happen to like hanging out with Teddy too. That boy has got some knowledge! You would think he was a Professor or something. But yeah, don't tell anyone that I like hanging out with you more. Fellow pranksters have to stick together.'' Hehe. ''You have one of the coolest big sisters, by the way.'' Just in case Ava didn't realise that.
...................

Alrightey!

It seemed like Bentley would not be calling the Squid, being more focused on snapping a picture. This was fine by Adi. He also wondered if the guy remembered him since they had met at Scribbulus though it was only briefly.

"BAAAAAAARTHOLOMEW!'' the seventh year joined Ava in shouting. He paused long enough, however, to answer Bentley's question. "A little of both I think. The last time I called him, he came over quickly because he was hanging around. Basking in the sun, if I remember right.'' There was a tilt of his head as he continued. "If you don't get to meet him today, there are still plenty of days left in the school year.'' So let's be optimistic!

Fresh air at last!!! Rory walked down towards the lake, enjoying this soothing moment. Since he was a perfectionist and preferred relaxing in the library or common room, he rarely left the castle walls. But he enjoyed the outdoors especially breathing the cool airs by the lake. It was by far more enjoyable than the dusty air within the castle.

A major problem was the winter. Since he was so slim, no matter how much layers of clothes he wore, the cold penetrated him. A feeling he most certainly despised. Therefore he took advantage of the beginning of the year, when the weather was brisk and comforting, and tried to be outdoors as frequent as he could before the temperatures drop... and he will freeze.

He sat down by a tree, keeping a small distance from the lake. He stretched his long skinny legs, and placed the palm if his hands upon the green, slightly moist, grass. His blue eyes looked straight at the breathtaking lake, and a soft wind hit his chiseled cheekbones. He was actually searching for someone whom he had met at the start of term feast. Sadly, at the end of the feast, so they had little time to chat, and she wasn't a Ravenclaw. He wasn't the talkative type, but surprisingly he wanted to re-meet her, if only he could find her.

She continued to look at the diary, yes she would be using this very soon. She loved to write and this was just a perfect reason to write more. She giggled a bit and touched his shoulder lightly before moving her hand. "I was just kidding about coming to you, you will always be my first stop. I do love the diary though. It is a great gift." She hoped he'd always be the person she went to when she had something wrong or on her mind. This summer had made her feel closer knowing she could dump all her insecurities in front of him and he still cared.

For the first time since he had come over she remembered she was writing a letter, "Oh yes it was for Nessa. I'll make sure to add that in." She thought of his words, "Well you can meet me and we could eat up on the seventh floor a bit more or just in the kitchen instead of the great hall." She didn't mind eating away from the staff table. She was still feeling uncomfortable.

"So how is everything else going?" She thought the term was going smoothly so she hoped it really was for all the professors.

Aimee strolled along the perimeter of the lake leisurely. She was thinking about picking up a few smooth stones to skip rocks with, but then decided against it when she realized that that probably wouldn't be such a good idea with the giant squid in there. She made her way from the grassy hill to the base of the lake and contemplated this choice, leaning up against a tree. She furrowed her brow and, making her decision, slowly slid down to a seated position on the grass and began people-watching. One of her favorite pastimes.

There were plenty of things he could have been doing right about now, but instead of seeking out his people, Zeke followed his own path, solo, down to the lake. Being outside did things to him he couldn't explain. Perhaps it was the fact that OUTSIDE was so much bigger than he was, and the size of the lake and the endless sky made him feel insignificant in the world.

Insignificant.

It was a nice way to feel. There was no pressure. No pressure to get good grades, to fix his hair, to eat his vegetables. There was no drama or confusion. He could simply exist without any worry at all.

Having picked a spot on the grass to lay on - just short of the shade of a tree, he turned his attention to the sky before propping himself up on his elbows. He felt as though he was being watched, was he? Scanning his surroundings, his hazel eyes fell on a girl sitting beneath the tree not far from him. It was hard to not exist when people were there to see him.

He raised his palm by way of saying: Hi there. Did you want something?

Aimee continued to follow the scene going on out of her earshot, but not out of visibility. It seemed to her that this girl was very upset, and she felt like she should give the girl some privacy. Her gaze wandered to the grass, to the stones, to the lake, repeat.

Until she got bored and zoned out, that is. She didn't even realize it, but her gaze drifted to a boy sprawled on the grass, seemingly deep in thought.
'That looks comfortable...' she thought, but made no effort to switch positions. Suddenly, Aimee snapped back into reality and noticed that the boy was staring straight at her, waving as if to say, "hellooo, is anyone home?"

Crap.

She smiled quickly to break the ice, and approached him slowly, as if she meant to get his attention in the first place.

"Uh, hi! Good afternoon," she started, and, noticing his Gryffindor robes, added, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Aimee Collins, third year."

.... and she was coming to him now?

Okay. Why?

Zeke smiled, despite the fact that he was enjoying his moment of solitude.

Within seconds though, she was right there with him. "Hey," he replied, sitting up properly now. Have they met? No... he was she he'd remember if they had. "Nice to meet you, I'm Zeke," he replied with a nod. Oh... and the rest, "Browne, Zeke Browne... fourth year." Yeah, probably the reason they hadn't met. He didn't much socialise with younger classmen, save for those in Gryffindor.

Was she just going to stand there? Or would she sit too? It was nice out, and it was even nicer when one could take a load off and put their feet up, or y'know... lay them out.

It seemed like everyone was having a fun time as he walked along the muddy path towards the lake. He smiled to himself when he found a spot under the shade. He sat down and took off his shoes before leaning back onto the grass. Sighing,he let his arms fold behind his head as he stared up at the clear blue sky. He remembered not long ago, he was here trying to figure out what his future was going to be like. Back then, he hardly ever socialise and often spend his time daydream around here, mostly about having adventures finding creatures and dragons...especially dragons.

Now, he was waiting for llia to come by and meet him here. He checked the time on his muggle Manchester United watch, yup...still early for their planned meetup. He wanted to tell her about the discovery Adi had made about his two potential birth parents and...possibly talked and reminisced about their summer adventure and how much fun they had. Henric knew he had grown a sentimental attachment to her more than he could imagine.But he was holding back, afraid if he told her the truth about his growing feelings for her, their close relationship might get affected.He didn't think he have the courage. He shook the thought off his mind and closed his eyes.

Nom...Nom...Nom....Nom...

She was enjoying her granola in peace when she heard someone commented about granola. Her granola.

Oh. Its the BIG kid she saw during the feast. Where did he come from? Was he here to steal her granola? Nu-uh. No way. Its hers. HERS.

"Yes. Its a granola. MY granola. MINE!" And you're not allowed to steal it. So step back! She's going to defend her granola from him. She's technically older than him but the boy was BIGGER than her. MUCH bigger. She wished she brought her wand with her, she could defend herself better with her wand.

His food!senses were SO efficient. His mama would be so proud of him. But then his grin dropped...into a smile. Why was she getting all feisty at him? Yes, it was her granola. He didn't say it wasn't. He merely pointed out that it was a granola. "Yours! Yours, yours. Your granola." Owen responded, nodding.

Then he cocked his head to the left. "You don't like sharing your food, don't you?"

Aimee took a seat across him and listened. "Oh, okay. So, what brings you out here? I haven't been able to get out much on account of studying..." she explained casually. Zeke didn't seem like he was in the mood for casual conversation, but Aimee thought that maybe she could get him to ease up a bit.

She fished around in her over-the-shoulder bag for something for a few moments, and finally pulled out her game of Reusable Hangman, which she purchased from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes a few days before the start of term.

"Wanna play?" She asked with a sly smile.

Timmy had finished two peaches.
Two.

And still no Brian.

Then again, Timmy did eat peaches pretty quickly so not much time had passed by. So instead, she lied down, closed her eyes and enjoyed the fall breeze passing by. She did start humming to herself after some time and dozed off a bit. But then she heard a voice, his voice to be exact. Peeking at Brian with one eye, Timmy stayed in her position and closed her eye again. "You're late," She mumbled, wiggling her nose. Finally sitting up, the blonde rubbed her eyes and yawned. A peace offering? Well, at least he had brought along more juice. Smiling at him, Timmy simply said, "I hate you,"

Taking the the juice, she tosses him a piece of bread. "This is your only food for falling asleep on me again," At least, she thought it was two? Maybe that'll teach him a lesson. This friend date was supposed to be special.

Angel was walking towards the lake, she wanted to have some time to herself because everything was going very wrong and she didn't like that one bit... no sir not one bit. She looked around and smiled when she saw the Ravenclaw fourth year that she had sort of talked too at the start of term feast but they didn't get round to saying much and he did seem a bit shy and she had no idea why.

Angel gave a weak smile as she flung her hair back with her hands and then she walked over to him. "Hello Rory." Angel thought she might as well say hello she didn't want him thinking she was a freak or anything like that. "So you enjoying the school so far this year?" Angel thought she might as well ask a question, she didn't want to stand here so awkwardly.

Colt was amused and it didn't take anyone with a brain to figure out she wanted to climb a tree. He smiled politely and nodded. "Yeah it is a great lake. Best view I had in a long time." He told her truthfully. He went to always visit his grandparents lake but it was nothing compared to this. Was he thinking along the same lines? He scoffed and nodded. "Yeah I'm game." he said and was moving toward the tree and began to climb it with no problem. He hung on the lowest branch to let her catch up. "You coming or what?" he asked her.

This random conversation was proof that girls were weird. Weird, but great at the same time. Not that he thought Aimee was great, he really didn't know her. At all.

Zeke shrugged, "Wanted to clear my head, get away, not be noticed." Yeah, the whole being alone and pretending he didn't exist thing wasn't working out for him. Oh well. Another time then. The whole studying thing though, he understood, but at the same time, term was only just starting ... he didn't want to think about homework and assignments yet. "Get out while you can, study will get busy later," seriously, this was golden advice if ever he knew it.

Watching curiously as the girl started looking through her bag, Zeke lay back a bit, his arms outstretched behind him to keep him propped up. What was she doing?

Upon seeing the Reusable Hangman set, he smirked. A game. "Yeah, sure, I'll play," he agreed. If he couldn't be alone, he may as well be doing something mildly amusing. "Just so you know, I'm terrible at this."

"Good point," Aimee agreed on the studying thing. She just struggled with some arithmancy material and even though it didn't need to be learned right then and there, she preferred to get it out of the way so that she wouldn't be stressed later. That way she could do stuff like...well...like this.

SUCCESS!!! Yesss, Aimee knew she could get him to forget about whatever was troubling him and unwind with a nice er, relaxing(?) game of Reusable Hangman. She did feel slightly guilty about interrupting his alone time, but she quickly pushed the idea of leaving Zeke to his thoughts out of her mind when she saw his reaction to her proposition.

"I'll be the judge of that," she teased, turning the paper away from his line of vision. She scribbled down some lines in a pattern that only made sense to her - for now. She set the little wooden man at the bottom of the little wooden stairs. If Zeke guessed a wrong letter, the little wooden man would climb the little wooden stairs and hang himself with the little wooden gallows.
How pleasant.

"Alright, have a go!" She grinned proudly, presenting the paper to Zeke. It read:

_
_ _ _ _ _
_ _
_ _ _
_
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ .

Of course he had a good point, he was ALWAYS full of good points... Amur knew best, even if she was a little cray for thinking he was best suited for Ravenclaw. He STILL hadn't answered any of the bronze knocker's riddles or questions correctly. If he HAD been sorted into Ravenclaw, he would seldom sleep in his dorm, that was certain.

"Be my guest," Zeke teased back, sitting up properly now with his game face on. If he was ever going to win a game of this, it had to be now.

He watched her curiously as she drew her lines and when she showed him the paper he couldn't help but groan.

...

Did there HAVE to be so many letters?

Sheesh.

"Not making it easy for me are you?" he questioned.

"Uhh... an 'i', there has to be an 'i'." Because if there wasn't, then the game was rigged.