Merlin smiled. "You see, there is a good thing about your condition- you are fast! And that can be very useful." He pats the boy's shoulder. "Don't feel uncomfortable, it is as it is and you have to be strong and live with it. You don't have to suffer alone, you have friends and I hope I am one of them." Merlin winks at him trying to cheer him up.

"Sup Drew, glad you came." Merlin smiled. "Its great everyone is bringing their pets, they sure will love this trip or be scared to death." His laughed a bit mischievously.

(OOC: until one of the mods can ping the group I guess its us or those that find the thread. =D))

"Thanks," he said. "I'm okay... I guess." He shrugged his shoulders knowing he wasn't fully okay. "I'm trying." Ginger gave a clear laugh as she bobbed her head at Drew. Magnus smiled at the dog, taking the paw and shaking it. "'Ey there Dodge."

"Faster, better 'earing, stronger. I could pick you up actually..." He sighed and nodded, "I know. It's me lot for life. Just sometimes its a bit much... and make a supernatural friend and 'e's too dangerous to be 'ere... so what does that say about me? S-should I be here?" He appreciated Merlin's words and sniffed. "Thanks. I-I'm not used to 'aving people to go to, you know? But yes... you're me friend, as is Drew."

Merlin's face was kinda comical after hearing he could lift him, but then said. "I bet it will be easy, I'm quite skinny." He stick out his tongue. "So, do you eavesdrop at people's conversations? Like, I don't know a professor talking to another, what would be on the test, if a cute girl likes you...a forbidden magic spell." Merlin looked excited with the idea. "Must be cool thou could get you in trouble for sure." Merlin thought of all the mischief he would do with those qualities but then remembered it was something painful. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't get excited about those things." After hearing he was a friend Merlin felt good, he wasn't very good at socializing, at least he felt that way. "That's good to hear pal, you don't have to be scared of me...I am quite...harmless." He thought that was a good word to use.

"Would you like to...er see those at work? The supernatural stuff?" Merlin seemed really excited. "Paul, me auror friend echos you mate. 'E reckons I need to try to find the positives and not worry so much. So... er if you want me to show you 'em, I can." He chuckled, "well I try to ignore the extra 'earing in school stuffs but I can't say I've been upstanding elsewhere." His eyes sparkled and he whispered, "Girls 'ave some interesting talks when they think boys ain't around." He shook his head. "I ain't scared 'o you. Scared I might one day 'ave no friends and turn into the real monster--yes..."

Merlin nods and waited. "I want to see the supernatural stuff, yup." He tried to hide the intrigue in him, but curiosity was one of his strong characteristics. "And your friend is right, try to relax because not everyone will see you as a monster, but yes some will. Just try to stick with those that see you as a friend." Merlin smiled at the thought of interesting talks and thought it was better not to ask. "I'm sure you won't turn into a monster, especially if you are worried about it."

"Alright." Magnus set Ginger on Drew's shoulder. Then placed one hand on Merlin and started piviting, with in a moment, Merlin was horizontal above the 12 year old boy with one hand. He set Merlin down gently. Then he took a nearby rock picked it up and crushed it in his hand. "Speed... hmm..." He took off his watch--handed it to Merlin and nodded. Then the boy was off, running all the way back to the castle door, turning around and running back--not having broken a sweat. "Smell... You could blind fold me and ask me to sniff scents at any distance. And 'earing likewise."

Dodger regarded Magnus and then gave a soft woof before taking back his paw and turning to look toward the food table. With a whine, he nudged Drew's leg with his nose and looked up pleadingly.

"Yeah yeah, I know you're starving," Drew said fondly to his pet. "You did good, but wait a bit longer." He petted Dodger and then turned his attention back to Magnus and Merlin. At Magnus' question, he put a hand on younger boy's shoulder and said, "Of course you should be here. I might not be anything special but I'm here for you." He smiled as he listened to Magnus and Merlin talk and had to grin at hearing how excited Merlin was over the powers of a werewolf. "It does seem like some pretty cool things. I don't think I'd have enough self-control not to listen to conversations. And I'll bet you if a girl was a werewolf they would eavesdrop all the time so they would know all the gossip."

Drew then thought of something and said, "There might be some more students coming who are new to Slytherin that you'd like, Mags. I told them about the workshop and invited them and as far as I know, they are planning to attend."

((editing since my connection is slow and I missed Magnus' last post))

Drew smiled and reached up to gently stroke Ginger after Magnus set her on his shoulder. As the younger boy demonstrated his powers, Drew's eyes widened. "Wow!" he said. "that is impressive!" Then with a little grin, he said, "I might race you sometime...if I'm on Fleet," he laughed. "that would be the only way I'd have a chance."

"I ain't anything special meself," he said. "You know we 'ave a girl werewolf 'ere, right? Though she's not evesdroppy I don't think."

Magnus did laugh at the racing comment. "I ain't gonna replace your 'orse and let you ride on me back so you can put that thought away. " He stuck his tongue out as he started relaxing.

"We do?" Drew asked when he heard there was a girl werewolf at Hogwarts. "I haven't really met anyone until recently. Kinda tried to keep to myself and just do the work at first."

At Magnus' comments about riding him, Drew laughed. "Darn! I think I'd make an awesome wolf rider," he said. "And..." his eyes twinkled as he teased, "I'd feed you waffles."

Merlin was surely impressed with Magnus abilities and felt quite overwhelmed after the lift. "Woah!" After he returned from the castle Merlin asked Spellz to go high above them and make a sound very softly that only Magnus could hear, and then asked him to imitate the sound. Merlin knew what sound his owl would make, he knew him too well, and when the boy repeated it he could only smile. "You are good, now I know I can murmur and you will listen." Merlin grabbed his wand and with a flick covered Magnus eyes. "Don't worry I know what I'm doing." Then Merlin looked around to see what could be good for smelling. A pepermint tea bag, a swiss cheese, and a melon were on his hands. "Now, what products I am holding in my hands?"

Merlin laughed at Drew's comment about gossip. " I know I would listen too, just wouldn't tell." Then adds. "I hope they will come join us since Lee and Charlotte are new to the school. I hope I didn't made a bad impression on them." He laughed.

"I can't race him, I love running but he is too fast! I could only keep up if I fly."

"Yeah, it's one reason I'm with me dad or Paul and not in hospital wing when I shift. Dad don't want me together with 'er. She's dead nice though." He laughed and Drew's wolf rider comment.

Magnus heard the owl and mimicked it back. He nodded, "Its 'ard to keep me from 'earing. So don't really need ta talk loud at all." He concentrated. "I smell, tea leaves, paper and peppermint together... so a tea bag? There's cheese--sharp smell ta it and a melon... also owl feathers, and..." He stepped really close to Merlin and whispered very low so only he would hear, "I can smell, something...different... you smell like...dragon. Its under your normal scent. Is she here?"

Merlin had a vivid imagination so he suddenly imagined Drew riding Magnus in his wolf form and couldn't help but to grin.

It was surprising all he could smell, and after he mentioned dragon smell Merlin blushed and sttuter a little while replying. "Uh-umm, no she is not." He whispered. "Maybe I'm wearing something she touched..the bag perhaps, I haven't wash that." He then changed the subject. "But you got them all right, tea bag, cheese, and melon. The owl feathers are quite obvious since Spellz is here." Merlin scratched his head and felt a bit nervous, he haven't told anyone about his animagus form since well it wasn't perfect yet and wasn't sure if it would be scary for most.

Drew was amazed at the way Magnus could detect each little smell. Sure it was easy to get one or two smells normally, but each individual one? He smiled at his friend. "You're amazing, Mags," he said.

((got to go for a bit guys. Be back online as soon as I get home from work))

Magnus wasn't convinced and his eyes showed it as he pulled off the blindfold. He could also smell fear and nervousness. He frowned at Merlin. But stepped back to give appropriate personal boundaries. He allowed for the change of subject. "I was told werewolves are often used as "blood hounds" to elp track missing people. Though not during the moon cycle--that much blood makes control difficult."

Outfit Not Found

Charlotte came wandering down her tail arched in a question mark. She was curious about the workshop, they didnt have them much in her school. She had bundled up enough to stay warm and had a her bag with her for any new collectibles she might find.

She was a bit apprehensive looking at the group. She was friendly but still introverted after all. She gave a wave and a smile. She knew Lee () was with her and that helped as he had become her first friend there.

Lee gave a smile to Charlotte as they headed down to the workshop. It had been a good trip, and Kodi had enjoyed the play time, but Lee had left his dog safely in the castle. The Forest was Forbidden for a reason after all, and he didn't want to risk anything happening to his companion.

Lee saw there were a number of students already gathered at the tent. He also noticed a food table, but he had eaten before he came down.

"Hello everyone, " Lee said, managing a small smile. Lee didn't like crowds, and this made him a bit uncomfortable, but he was trying. He notice Charlotte seemed to have the same feeling coming off of her. He stepped closer to her, trying to comfort her and take comfort in her familiarity. He gave her a small nudge. "Magnus is here, " he whispered.

Charlotte looked up at Lee and gave him a smile, her eyes said thanks. "You know...Im going to be tempted to play in some trees on our walk..." she said and looked down the smile playing on her lips.

Lee chuckled. "I wouldn't doubt it," he whispered. "If I hadn't had that playtime with Kodi on the way down to Hogsmeade, I'd be tempted to just go running but...after last night," he shook his head, "I need to keep my wits about me a bit more. This place is supposed to be dangerous. Gods, I hope I don't get shaken up again...."

Merlin knew he wasn't fooling Magnus, but was sure this wasn't the best place to talk about it with so many around. "Maybe later..when there are less people staring, then I can tell you a secret." Merlin whispered so low, he hoped only he could hear, but wasn't sure if Charlotte ( )had any good hearing as well. "It is interesting, just hope they weren't used in any abusive manner."

Merlin then turns to greet the newcomers. "Hello Lee, Lottie, glad to see you have come. I am hoping to receive our guest very soon, but she isn't here yet. After she arrives then we can begin officially the workshop, but for now you can all eat and get to know each other." He wondered if anyone was nervous to enter the forest. "We don't have to fear anything, the Head Mistress would never put us in danger."

Lee had been listening to the convos around him, and he wondered a bit about the secret his prefect would share with the kid from another house. He mentally shrugged, none of his business.

"Hello Merlin, thanks, glad to be here. I was hoping we wouldn't be late," he said, looking at Charlotte. "We had to make a quick run to Hogsmeade first. There is a guest coming..? Cool," he said with a smile," and thanks for the food offer, but I ate before I got here."

Lee turned his attention to watch the group, seeming to be casual about it, but in truth he was watching the boy Magnus. He didn't want a repeat of their previous encounter. He stepped a little more protectively near Charlotte, putting himself between her and the boy.