He.can.understand.him.

Jace's face lit up as he smiled at the boy and inclined his head to him. "It's a relief!" he said feeling warm and cozy around the other boy. The fact that he isn't the only Japanese kid around made him feel wonderful. Maybe it already made his school year!

"Takeru-san." How can he mispronounce that? Wait...Takeru as in...the legendary prince Yamato Takeru?? The Slytherin boy did look like a warrior to him, and he was itching to know more about his name! "You have a remarkable name, Takeru-san. Were you named after someone?" It was highly possible, but nonetheless, it was very intriguing.

Seeing that he's the new kid, Jace expected him to be as curious. "Yes, I have. I attended day schooling at Mahoutokoro." he said as he sat on the ledge of the fountain, "How about you, Takeru-san? Did you start in Mahou? Or Himitsumahou?" There were only two magical schools in Japan. The latter was where Sensei Ryunosuke taught Defense...

Marsha was so excited. She'd just had an amazing afternoon session in the barn with the animals, especially with her Faerie's and the beautiful horses. She had even had time to take one of the horses out for a ride. Best afternoon ever.

Now, all she needed was some food and Vince... and her day would be complete. Silently, she wondered how long she could ignore the last of her homework for.

However, when she got to the door, she couldn't open it. Frowning, she looked up at the big doors. She knew she was tiny, but she had never had any trouble opening them before. Looking around the courtyard, she tried to see if there were any bigger students or Professors that could help her.

Harvey listened as his Professor shared some of his past with him. It made the adult seem a lot more... approachable. He realised he trusted him because of it, or his judgment, anyway, which Harvey didn't often do. Hmm. Maybe there was hope for him with regards to getting along with Ravenclaws after all...

"You're right, maybe I should make more of an effort in the common room," he nodded, knowing he hadn't really because he was just too shy. But he didn't want to miss out because of shyness. And he had promised himself he'd be brave, after all, once he got here. It was time to live up to that.

Making up his mind, Harvey stood up, feeling determined.

"Thank you, Professor. I'll try." he said, turning to go. But, before he did, he paused, and asked a bit more hesitantly. "Do you think... is it okay if you don't tell anyone we just had this conversation?" he asked, a bit embarrassed.

She nodded as Miranda said about surfing, "I'm rubbish at it, but it's fun to learn. My dad is so good at it. He makes it look easy, but he's been doing it for a long time. He grew up in Australia before moving here for Quidditch. Mum never really let us leave the town we lived in and since I couldn't walk to a beach I never tried until I moved in with him. I like watching him surf. My ex likes to surf too." She thought about Roman and their trip last winter. How so much had changed in just a year. "Trips over winter break are the best. Last year dad took myself and friends to a beach and it was a blast." He really did care in his own ways and thinking about it she couldn't help but smile and actually miss him a bit at that moment. She actually felt good feeling homesick once in awhile, it wasn't something she had been use to and now it was something that made her happy.

She wanted to go riding and Nat couldn't be more excited. Yes, she would take anyone out on the horses anytime as long as the professor didn't mind. "We can go and at least take care of them. Let them get to know you more. It's always good to have the horses trust you before you ride them. Then while we are there we can ask to see if we can fly." She saw the professor lots down there since she was there often, but it was good for Miranda to get to know them too.

"I should spend more time in the potion lab to be honest. So maybe we can go down and work together." Nat would never mind having company. "Actually I need to do an experiment with the babbling potion. Would you want to help me? I'll make sure the professor knows you helped as well." This could be actually fun to have someone else work with her.

Miranda was interested in Natalia's story.. the trip and everything.. It must have been great to go to a different place and do fun things... All of this souring her moddy slightly. She and her family barely went farther than Diagon Alley.. no fun Holidays for the Blazes.. Always danger lurking.. Or so her mother used as an excuse...
"We never get to go anywhere... My dad's old job made it impossible... Although I think I heard my mum talking about a trip for this winter holiday.. We'll see though" she said with a slight edge of hope.. Randa shrugged and kicked at an invisible rock and sent it flying.. Or at least she pictured it flying.. Straight into the center of the Black Lake...


Miranda brightened again at the talk of the Winged horses... for sure she'd have to spend plenty of time with them before really asking to ride. But still she knew that before long she could be high in the sky soaring over the school grounds making everything small enough to handle in her mind... She smiled as she thought of the time they'd spend down at the barns.. and how much she would learn from the extra time spent withthe winged creatures...
" I'd say you're right.. I wouldn't want them to be uncomfortable around me... Besides I love all kinds of animals... I really like taking care of things" Miranda shrugged as if she would be considered odd... But nevermind that.. The thought of her impending possible flight took up all the space in her brain and she was just smiling..


She was super happy to have made a friend like Nat... She was older and knew more and could always give her advice. Advice about probably anything.. but what she really wanted to learn was how to do her makeup.. She'd been experimenting lately.. now that she had a boyfriend and all.. But that was for another time... Today was all about talking and maybe they could go to the barns and ask to help out with the horses...

Then Natalia said something about potions.. Oh the dreaded potions... But she did have a point and a most wonderful idea... they could go and work on their potions together... their repective potions of course... But.. Nat was hopefully pretty decent at potions so maybe she could figure out what Randi was doing wrong....



" I'd love to help you out.... Sounds like a pretty wicked potion.. Although... If it makes someone talk alot.. You may need earmuffs... I already talk too much.. " She giggled as she heard the name of the potion Nat needed to practice.... " But yeah.. whenever you want to go to the lab let me know and I'll meet you in the dungeons.. " Miranda smiled..

She didn't go on trips well Nat could fully understand how that felt. "My mother never took us anywhere. She wouldn't leave the town we lived in. So unless I could walk to the place I wasn't going." So she could know Miranda's disappointment of not going somewhere. "There is fun around London though. I am always finding a new adventure since I've moved here." She figured it was probably not as interesting to someone that was born here.

"Well there are plenty of animals to take care of at the barn. I go there at least once a day. It's so much fun to hangout there." It was probably her second favorite place to go and be.


Getting up she grabbed her bag and storm. "Want to go now? We could go work on it before dinner." Nat would even go to dinner in the Great Hall after if Miranda wanted. She wasn't sure if she'd sit at the puff table, but maybe Miranda would want to sit at the Snake table. It would be the least she could do if she was going to allow Nat to experiment the potion on her.

She was right.. there were tons of places to go and do things back home.. It was only that she done everything her parents would let her do at the age of 12..
" Yeah.. I've gone to loads of places.. But really 'round town it's the park most likely under a tree is where'd ya find me most days. " She smiled.


" Oh all the animals in the barn are pretty cool.. I hung out there a bit last term... I had fun.. Well, more than most , but then.. Not many things scare me... At least so long as they've got fur of one sort or another. So, really it's more of whenever you want to go down and hang out down there.... Cool yeah? " Randa was really digging having an older friend.

She was definitely cool.. but there was something else she couldn't put her finger on... In a way she seemed super bummed but yet when she talked she was all not depressed sounding.But then something about going to the potions lab... Right.... of course.. That...


She nodded.. It certainly didn't matter to her when they went.. the fact that Natalia had offered to help her and then in return Miranda was pretty sure she was gonna be a test subject for Nat to practice on... So Heck yeah.. Let's go!

" Yeah.. Alright" Playing it cool cause she she wicked nervous about the potion trying ...

It was strange to have Japanese fill his ears again so freely. Strange, but not a negative thing. Japanese had been his very first language, but after moving to England, Tak rarely had the opportunity to speak it. So going back to school had been interesting, and meeting this boy...well that just seemed lucky.

"Er- thank you." The words flew off his tongue without any thought, almost as if he were talking to Jael. "No I was not- I guess they just liked the name. The lie came so easily that it took Tak a few seconds before he realized that he actually didn't know if he was named after someone.

Eyes opening just a bit, the third year really couldn't help openly staring at the other boy. He didn't look familiar...but then again Tak had been so horrible with making friends during his first year that he had often kept his head down after. "Jace-kun- I went to Mahoutokoro as well. But only for my first year. Then I attended Himitsumahou."

Jace probably felt the same weird feeling inside, but it was a good kind of weird. Being able to talk so freely in Japanese was liberating. It felt like he was home. And at that point, everything else was forgotten; the things he ought to accomplish that day, his pile of homework, heck even the cold was ignored.

“Oh is that so? Your parents must’ve known you’d be a healthy, fierce, and noble warrior. Well in your case, a wizard.” Jace traced the kanji characters of each meaning with the tip of his bōkken against the stone floor. “I wonder if you were named after Yamato Takeru?” he was a legendary prince during the Yamato dynasty, did Tak know? Jace grinned at the Slytherin boy, ready to supply bore him with the information should he be interested.

The surprised look was received well with a nod of understanding. “I suppose that’s the reason why you didn’t look familiar to me. I attended Mahoutokoro as a day student. I transferred here in Hogwarts as a First Year.” He said shrugging as he assumed the lotus position. “Himitsumahou though. I suppose you’ve been taught by Ryunosuke-sensei? He’s my Kendo teacher back home.” He said nodding with a proud grin. "But...why did you transfer though? I...I hope you don't mind me asking..." Jace gauged that this might be a personal thing to Tak, but he would never know until he asked him.

Bonnie headed towards the fountain with its beautiful eagles. She hopped up on to the ledge and threw her satchel to the ground with a thud. So many books to read and study but now wasn't the time.

Turning to face the fountain, she crossed her legs and pulled her cloak closer; There was a cool autumn breeze in the air. Staring into the fountain noticing a few stray leaves that had been blown in. Autumn was one of her favourite seasons, the beautiful colours of the changing leaves.

She was deep in thought.

It was still a little chilly outside, but not too bad in Olly's opinion. He made his way out to the courtyard one afternoon, carrying a case full of chalk. Yes, chalk. He thought the grounds of Hogwarts needed a little bit more color. Chalk was fun, and he had lots of it. He definitely had some to share if anyone else wanted to join him. For now, though, Olly set the case down and chose a yellow piece of chalk for himself. He was going to draw the sun. He settled down on the ground and got to work.

Rosalyn had been walking across the courtyard when she decided that she would stop by the fountain and take a break. It had been a while since she had sat out here and she didn't really have anywhere that she needed to be immediately. Why not just enjoy the fresh air and maybe talk to some of her lovely students?

Taking a seat on the base of the fountain, looked around to see if there was anyone that she could talk to.

Lovely?

Were they all lovely?

Probably not!

Actually, Dora was pretty sure that not many of the Hogwarts student body was LOVELY ever. Nope. But, as it was, she was feeling rather HAPPY today. With a smile on her face, she made it through the Courtyard... darn near oblivious.

HE was making her smile. YEAH.

Sitting herself down, not really noticing who she was by, she turned with a rather lopsided grin. "Hey! HOW ARE YOU!"

.... OH! It was the younger Professor Newton! Lovely!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Lovely?

Were they all lovely?

Probably not!

Actually, Dora was pretty sure that not many of the Hogwarts student body was LOVELY ever. Nope. But, as it was, she was feeling rather HAPPY today. With a smile on her face, she made it through the Courtyard... darn near oblivious.

HE was making her smile. YEAH.

Sitting herself down, not really noticing who she was by, she turned with a rather lopsided grin. "Hey! HOW ARE YOU!"

.... OH! It was the younger Professor Newton! Lovely!

In almost no time Rosalyn saw someone making their way over to her. Someone who looked quite happy. That was something that she always loved seeing and increased her already good mood! Nice to see the school in good spirits again now that the Piffy drama seemed to be over with for the most part. Still was strange that the two poltergeists got married, but a part of her DID feel happy for them. Granted it was a SMALL part...

"I am doing well, Miss Umbridge. How about you?" It was obvious how the girl was feeling, but she still was asking.

If the sun was out, Lance was out. Anything to get away from studying actually. Making his way outside, he paused after a few steps before backtracking, looking at the case full of brightly colored chalk. Or more importantly, the owner of said chalk on the ground drawing with them.

"Hey Oliver," he said, stepping next to the Slytherin, peering at the drawing. "Whatcha doing?"

The plan had been to practice some of her Transfiguration spells out and about on the grounds; hoping the fresh air and wide open space would provide some inspiration. However, this was hardly the case. So terrible was she at this branch of magic, that the only thing she'd managed to Transfigure was her own shoes laces.

SIGH. THE FRUSTRATION... It was so real right now.

Anyway, the blonde Gryffindor was saved from further practice when she spotted the two boys; Olly, who she knew quite well and Lance? They were in Gryffindor together, but had never really talked... Liv thought that was his name.

"Hello boys" Don't mind her. She was just going to make herself right at home. "Olly, why a sun?" Totally at ease in any situation, Olivia settled herself down on the ground beside the Slytherin boy.

Olly had been so focused on his work that he did not even notice anybody approaching. It was not until the boy spoke that he looked up. "Hi Lancelot," he said to the Gryffindor with the cool name. "I thought the Courtyard could use some more color, and I wanted to draw with my new chalk. Want to join me?"

Almost as soon as the words were out of his mouth another familiar face joined him. He smiled and waved at Olivia as she approached. "Hey Liv," he said. Was she questioning his drawing choices? Why a sun? He shrugged. "It's bright. And not too hard to draw." Chalk was not the easiest of mediums with which to draw but he was working on it.

Join him?

"Yea, cool!" he said, halfway to sitting down before a Gryffindor girl showed up. Recognized her? Yes. She was in Gryffindor after all. Knew her name? Probably not, but he would know it sooner or later. Settling down, he leaned over and chose his favorite color from the case of chalk. Pink.

"You should make it battle the moon."

He himself would be making a butterfly knight.

Outside…she definitely needed some time out of doors. Most classes and any time in the library left Cass within the stone walls of the castle, but the Ravenclaw couldn’t stand that all the time. So dressing for the slightly chilly temperature outside and making her way down to the ground floor, the third year escaped into the courtyard where she stumbled, thankfully not literally, on two Gryffindors and a Slytherin crouching on the ground. One of the former being her pal Olivia.

Curious for sure.

“Wasn’t aware Hogwarts had an art club…” she absently mused as she moved closer and got a look on what was going on. “…or a beautification group…” Or any randomness it might be. Cassie simply was throwing herself out there, hoping she wasn't interrupting enough to bother.

"Battle the moon?" Olly studied his half finished sun and contemplated Lancelot's suggestion. "Like with swords? Or magic?" That last part was fairly quiet. He was almost talking to himself now as he pictured the scene in his mind. He was getting an idea of what might work, but first and foremost he needed to finish the sun. The body was good, but he needed to finish all the rays. They were fairly large, flourishing out from the body of the sun.

He was going to ask Olivia if she was going to start something of her own when another person joined their little group. This person was unfamiliar to him. While he might have seen her face around Hogwarts, he had no idea who she was. But he smiled anyway as she approached.

"Hi! We're not a club...just doing some drawing." An art club did sound fun, though. "Want to join us? You can use my chalk. I'm Oliver, by the way."

The unfamiliar Slytherin boy was the one who answered first. A friendly greeting, welcoming her to join them in their random drawing on the courtyard stone. Not a club she was assured, even though she had been rather joking with that bit anyway. “Sure…” she replied as she moved to kneel, her plaited hair thrown over a shoulder as she was thankful that she had thought to dress more muggle than her uniform. She could go with that. Be all creative and off the cuff when it wasn’t all required of her for one class or another. It certainly was far more fun that way.

“Thanks…Oliver.” Now Cassie was only unfamiliar with one person out of the trio. “I’m Cass or Cassie,” the Ravenclaw introduced to Oliver and the other boy. She then tentatively took a green piece of chalk from the offered collection as she debated what to draw. The third year already saw a sun…and something that might have had wings. Maybe some greenery was in order to fit in with the mix of things.

With each passing day that went by Hadleigh was growing sadder and sadder but the smile on her face never once faltered. At least not when she was out and about or around others. Whenever asked she would say that she was ready to move on, continue with higher education, a job, traveling, a life outside of Hogwarts. Really though her heart was breaking at just the thought of leaving this place behind. The fear of not making out there in the world was real and even though she knew she wouldn't be alone it terrified her...she wasn't really ready.

At least that's how the teen felt sitting up on the ledge of the fountain and looking down into the water below. So many things had happened right here at this spot. Wishes made with Adi, talks with Zeke, joking around with Frankie. All memories that wouldn't ever be forgotten, couldn't be forgotten.

Reaching into her bag and rummaging around inside it she pulled out something she hadn't used in quite sometime. A camera. The one from Charms class way back in like her second year. Lifting it to her face and looking through the small hole she aimed it the fountain and snapped a picture. Maybe this is what she would do today...go around taking photos of all the places she loved most and well maybe even those places that she didn't. The more photos the better.

Noelle's mood changed with each passing day. It was bittersweet. Usually, she was so excited to see the end of the year coming. It meant that she wS going to be going into the next term. But not this year. Because this year meant that she was loosing her big sister at the end of the term.

Noelle wasn't ready for that.

Carrying her books, she decided to go outside for some fresh air to study. It was a pretty day and Noelle needed to clear her head. She told Noah she would meet him for dinner, and headed for the courtyard. Memories were flashing through her mind of the first time she met Hady. At the playground. Her smile lifted when she saw Hady taking a picture.

Noelle jumped in front of the space that the camera was pointed at, hoping to become part of those memories. She knew what a camera was. Her dad had many. She had magical and muggle ones. She giggled and waved. "Hey sis."

The camera in Hady's hands had snapped the photo just seconds before Noelle had jumped in front of it. This didn't at all stop her from taking another photo just as the younger girl giggled and waved greeting her. The timing on this one couldn't have been better and it would certainly become a wonderful memory once the photo was charmed to move. Smiles, laughter and fun were what she wanted to remember from this place.

"Hey sis, what brings you out this way?" she asked laughing softly. Lowering the camera onto her lap. Many more photos would be taken before she left but right now all her attention was on Noelle and she suddenly realized that she'd be leaving her behind in just a few days time. It wasn't that she didn't know this for years already but it was so close now and it was heartbreaking.