"Alright," he capitulated. Her embrace chipped off some of his anger that was clinging to him like cold icicles. The cold fury he had, melting away, though he didn't feel like being social, he really just wanted to go visit the shops and have a pleasant day. Why did he have to feel like he was always ruining everything? "Sorry, about that. I really did try not ta 'ave another run in like at the ball. 'E kept callin' me 'littlest wolf' like it was demeaning me. I ain't defined by my werewolfness, am I? I mean I try not ta be. And 'im were saying I should embrace the wolf, that's disgusting. I've 'eard of Greybeck. 'E embraced it and killed kids, just like the bloke that tried to kill me. Embrace it indeed. And me names are important, you know? Me first name is the one me birth parents gave me. Me last name me adopted parents gave me. I ain't ever told anyone me middle name before until today... see the orphanage I was at, well kids get the name o' the place as their last name you see. I lived at Saint John's Children's 'Ome 'o London. So me name, and all the names o' the kids there is Saint John. We were all like brother and sister. I wanna remember them, honour them and not forget where I came from. But that Nik, 'e didn't even acknowledge me name at all."

Magus sighed, as they came up to the castle and were in proximity of Gaia.

(( too right...we have to shake things up at hogwarts!! LOL...dont have draco and harry to cause rumbles! LOL ))

Snow chuckled at him calling her little wolf..but she didnt mind. "You may be taller then me...but I bet my paw is bigger then yours!" She smiled opening the case with the whole variety pack of tacos and such (sorry I cant remember everything in them because Im tired and Im sure there arent taquitos in there!!) I was going to mope eat..." she used napkins to take a few things out as well as set out some food for Duddits. "Was Durmstrang really that bad? I dont mean to bring up bad memories..but I can tell you werent happy there. I hope Hogwarts will be better for you." She looked down thoughtful. "Thranduil...had a hard time at his school..but it was different then us...he was a male half veela..and he wanted to be respected and liked for not just his looks. He told me he had even purposely done bad on tests and still his professors would give him good grades. I think he thought at Hogwarts...the" finger quotes "grass would be greener." But I dont think he realized that Hogwarts isnt as..difficult to get into as Beauxbatons. Not that their arent many talented witches and wizards here. In the end I think it was just too different for him." she nods. "which I could get...he also was raised to be super polite...but I think he felt like he was going to burst with things he wanted to say but didnt know how to say them..." shrugs "Im not trying to sound negative about him...it did...miff me that he couldnt deal with it and abandoned me..but also I respect him for how he felt." sighs "Maybe Im being too understanding..I would do anything I had too though to learn magic. Well you know...within reason...no demon soul selling or anything.." she laughed and smiled.

(OOC: whoa you were chatty overnight! Ok, I think I've replied to everyone - sorry if I missed anyone out ;) I had to put all Paddy's info on Adventure's page - I kept losing track otherwise 😊 )

[img align=right]https://i.imgur.com/EYLbn7m.png[/img] Paddy looked at the twins in the restaurant, and tried hard to not laugh at the mistletoe the man was wearing. Hoping he wouldn't insist on a furry kiss on the cheek, she thought for a minute before replying, "I've never had tacos before, but whatever you recommend for breakfast sounds great to me, as long as it comes with some pumpkin juice, please."

Waiting for the food to arrive, she spotted Fade enter, and waved him over. To be honest, she was feeling like she'd intruded on Magnus and Kat, so having Fade sit with them as well would make it feel a lot more comfortable. "Been shopping already, Fade?" she asked, spotting the parcel he was carrying, "I had to get breakfast first - no good shopping when you're hungry!"

The white haired wolf-eared girl caught Paddy's eye again. Trying to turn slightly so it wasn't too obvious she was looking out of the window at her, she realised the girl and a boy she'd not seen before were looking in Las Palmas, and seemed to be talking about them. Magnus obviously recognised the girl as he suddenly went out to talk to them. Paddy wasn't too concerned, as she knew Magnus could hold his own if any trouble did occur, and although she was a prefect she was getting quite good at turning a blind eye to some of the things that were being done. She heard bits of the conversation, and bit her lip to stop a growl escaping when she heard the other boy call Magnus littlest wolf. Unfortunately a growl did escape when she heard the mention of a walking carpet, but she did a reasonable job of turning it into a cough and taking a sip of pumpkin juice to try and distract attention from herself. As Magnus and the other boy stepped outside the restaurant, Paddy heard their voices much too clearly. She often wished that she didn't have such good hearing, but that came with being a werewolf. She knew better than to step outside and get involved, especially when there was a chance the professors would turn up at any moment.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself down, she took a couple of treats from her pocket and dropped them into the bag that was by her feet. She wasn't too sure how the restaurant owners would react to her pet puppy being in there with her (she thought maybe two werewolves would be enough for them), so she'd settled the dog in a large bag just in case.

"I'm staying until I've eaten," she said to Fade, "I'm much better company once I've had breakfast" she laughed, trying to ease some of the tension.

(( man, now I want Kat to get to know Thranduil, because she would not spare him any extra courtesy just because he's pretty. Can't post right now, , but I'll get you this evening. <3 ))

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]Harper looked a little frazzled as Gaia walked off so suddenly. She looked around with her hands in her pockets. Unsure what to do while she waited, she resigned herself to reviewing the map again. She pulled it out of her pocket and perused it.

( )

Paddy blushed - had Snowden really been that obvious in her bag? Lifting him out, she sat him on the booster, and laughed as he tried to climb off it. "Stay still," she said, trying to get him comfortable, "sit there, and you'll get some nice treats, or maybe a bite of the food if it's ok for you to eat."

As the house elf arrived with the food, Paddy felt slightly uncomfortable - she'd never met a house elf since encountering the one with Magnus at the first Care of Magical Creatures session, and didn't feel too sure how to react around them. "Thanks" she said, not wanting to sound rude, before picking a pastry up and biting into it, She wasn't too sure what the flavour was, but it tasted delicious.

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]"Where are we headed first?" Harper asked . "You said breakfast, right? I hope so, I'm starving! Almost enough for an Acid Pop."

She wrinkled her nose. She wasn't sure why Gaia loved them so much.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/P4yiyjd.png[/img] "How about Las Palmas? I am in the mood for some food that reminds me of my mom! How you feel about empanadas and tacos? Maybe burritos!" Gaia laughed steering her friend directly to the restaurant before she had time to reply. ()

Nik smiled. " Little Wolf is a term of endearment, it has nothing to do with your size, or potential. It's just, a pet name. " he blushed. "I am quite fond of you already, even if you did petrify me. " Then he laughed "what a story to tell our children someday, hmmm...?"

Nik looked hungrily at the food. "how about you separate what you want from what you don't, so I don't wolf out on all the food and you starve..? he said, chuckling.

As he munched, he talked quietly. "yeah, Durmstrang was bad. It was cold and dark and I had a lot more physical "contact" than I was comfortable with, but when you have a bunch of guys all bundled up trying to study in the common room, you sit pretty close to try to stay warm. Ever seen anything on tv or in the movies about military school...? That's what it was like there, and even in the schools I went to before that. " He shook his head. "and even at home. My dad was a hard ass."

Nik listened as she talked about her friend. "I understand, he came from a life so different than mine, or probably many people's, but I get it. All of this, it's hard for me to adjust to, even though I SO want to. There are things we are taught since we can remember, and they become part of us. Sometimes we can break away, other times, we can't. I was lucky...I have a chance to be myself."

"I'n sorry he let you down, but..also glad. I couldn't compete with a half-veela " Nik smiled, and looked at her, blushing a bit.

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]"I do enjoy a good burrito!" she said with a laugh. Harper tried not to trip over her own feet as they walked arm-in-arm. "Or guacamole... I love avocados."

()

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/P4yiyjd.png[/img]"I am sure Aquilino will hook us up with some delicious stuff! Alarico is the cute one though!" Gaia giggled "They are friends with my mom and they come to the farm for big holidays." Gaia clapped awkwardly "We are here! Can you smell it?" ()

[img align=left] http://i.imgur.com/L3MuqZF.png [/img]"Eh! Alarico look who is here!" Aquilino made it to the door before the girls made it in. "Well hello ladies?" He said while wiggling his eyebrows while grinning from ear to ear. ()

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]Harper blushed slightly, taken aback.

"Hello!" she said a little too enthusiastically. She coughed.

()

(( I love your dogs name!!! so cute! :D))

Snow looked at him with a raised brow at the mention of children. Was this another weird line? Boys nuts. She continued to listen and felt bad for him. "Durmstrang sounds horrible...I dont think Id like to be constantly bundled up next to someone just to stay warm. Id do it for survival..but" shakes her head. Snow separated what shed like. "If your still hungry we can go back and get more...I never did get my sugar loaded fruity garnished drink. (( though I thought I had! LOL XD but its ok))" She bit her lip, she could tell he was talking about something upsetting she reached out and touched his shoulder. "Im sorry...that your father was rough on you. Maybe...you could come celebrate Christmas with my family this year? I mean Id have to ask...and my Omi might put you to work decorating and eating cookies..." she played with some of her hair. She hated seeing people upset or in pain. Which made her think back to her history books about some of the bad Slytherins and her being a contradiction.

Nik turned her attention back to Thranduil and her nose wrinkled. "Oooo!" Looking frustrated and grumpy at the same time. "Some times I wish I didnt have to be so understanding...I wanted to yell...but I didnt." her brow was furrows as she shoved a taco in her mouth and crunched it angrily.

Nik laughed "If I am still hungry after all of this..? OK, deal, but I am buying the next round of food."

He smiled when she touched his shoulder. He knew it was a comforting gesture, so why did it feel electrical..?

"I'd like to visit, yes, "he said, "but this holiday is a huge deal for my grandparents. They are so happy to have mom home...and me, I suppose. We haven't visited them often. I don't mind that sort of work, I am good at eating."

"I think, " Nik said between bites,"that there are times for understanding and not saying/doing what you want to ( that's called discipline) and times for just letting go...just be sure to let go where you won't get caught." Nik laughed, coughed a little, and took a drink.

"This food is really good, spicy, but good."

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/P4yiyjd.png[/img] Gaia walked out of the kitchen eating a taco "Hi Padd', Hi F'de" she was hungry "Thank you for waiting for us! I was starving!" taking another bite. ( /Paddy)