((lol Cinnamon lol I love it :D Also, very bad migraine--lights off and laying and meds haven't helped, so I might not be fast or at my best, but I'm trying))

Merlin asked was asking how old they looked. “Well… Smerls,” he said, starting with sir but catching himself so it mushed together, “ya look er…16 and Mr. Magnus,” he looked over at Magnus and said, “er 15?” It was a stretch because Magnus was still small for his age but to Niall everyone looked a lot older than they were. The little boy glanced back at the book, thankful he wasn't having to stare at his hands anymore.

Magnus smiled, “It sounds like you’ve got a bit of a psychic link to stones, Merls.” He ran his hand over his neck. “Well, it’s a double edge sword sometimes, you know? I mean it kinda seems like I’ve been linked with the moon all me life. Its also my sign. I’m a moon and water sign. Sometimes I guess it bothers me cos I wish somethings didn’t always go back to the moon or me changing.” He shrugged. “But this is great. It’s a good positive reminder.”

((sorry if I'm leaving out anyone at our table. Just skimmed through and trying to get back in gear with playing for the day))

Drew had started to the table where he and his friends had been earlier. He watched as the new girl Lena glanced around the room and backtracked a few steps. "Come sit with us, Lena," he invited. "You already know me, Magnus, and Niall. Merlin is back now too and he's great. He's one of my prefects in Slytherin. And then there's Kyros, another Slytherin, who I'm just getting to know too." He led the way back to the table and took a seat. As the conversation flowed around him, Drew did what he'd done the majority of his life...listened and observed. The gifts Merlin handed out were awesome. He was amazed at the pendant and his friend's talent. Smiling as Merlin gave Niall a book, he couldn't help but murmur, "Books are some of the best presents ever." He had no idea that all his friends were so talented. He wondered what other surprises he'd uncover in his time at Hogwarts.

((OOC: Sorry about your migraine, hope it goes away soon.))

Merlin was grinning when he heard Niall said he looked 16, for the first time someone didn't asked if he was 13. "Well you are quite close, I'm 15 but you are the first to ever say I'm older than I am which is absolutely wonderful!" He laughs a bit and then said. "I'm constantly asked if I'm 13 or even 12 and it hurts my heart. Not my fault I'm a bit short." Then he got serious. "But no Mags is not 15 he is like 84..in wolf years I mean." He grins and pushes Magnus since he was teasing him because wolves aged faster than humans after all.

"My mom says the same, about the stones I mean. I don't seem to be any good at divination thou." He laughs but then gets more serious. "There are reasons why things happen, reasons beyond our knowledge and for some reason the Moon and you are linked, maybe embracing that link will get you to discover the most wonderful things. I love the Moon, it is so beautiful and mysterious. Back in my village I used to stare at night when I was in my room with nothing more to look at. Truthfully it was the only thing I could look at and not always because the trees sometimes covered it. But when the light got through, it was the perfect night light."

[Edit] "I agree, books are wonderful gifts. Unfortunately not everyone appreciates it, which is sad. Luckily Niall liked his new book."

After signing in Lena found a calm spot out of the flow of students to just watch. As an occasional food platter passed by she would reach for something interesting to try. This was going to be a very fattening tour, she thought to herself as she discreetly licked her fingers.

Just after taking a sip of a drink of something creamy and frothy, Lena heard her name and focused on one of the boys she had met outside. There were a few others she recognized as well, and so with a smile sporting a bit of a frothy mustache, Lena headed for the table.

"Hello again."

(thanks, lol me too))

"I agree," Magnus said smiling, "some of the best gifts I got were books. They keep the loneliness away. Though..." he said looking down at the talisman, "its really amazing when someone makes something for you specially."

"This..." Niall said quietly, "is the first real gift I've gotten." He loved reading. He smiled shyly at Merlin. "Well I doubt I look like I'm 11, more like 8."

Magnus snickered. "I'm a wise old soul." He frowned and sighed, "yeah I guess, it just...I don't know difficult."

EDIT: Magnus smiled to the girl, "'Ey, come and 'ave a sit." Niall glanced back up and smiled, turning pink as Lena arrived

"I'm glad I found other people who love books as much as I do," Drew said to the other boys. "i was called bookworm and nerd plenty of times because my books and pets were better to me than the kids in the neighborhood. Nothing like climbing a tree and hiding with a book...or reading in a swing...or beside a stream..." he blushed and shrugged. "well I guess you get the idea."

As Lena joined them, Drew had to grin at the girl's slight foam mustache. "Sampling the butterbeer?" he asked.

Smiling at the invitation to sit, Lena set down her mug and sat down. "Thanks." Turning to the dark haired boy whose name started with a D she thought she remembered, Lena nodded, "Yes, is that what it's called?" The young teen licked her lip a bit at the memory of the first taste and realized she needed a napkin. "Oh, my ... well." Taking one from a tray on the table Lena wiped her mouth and grinned. "I guess no point in saving that for later since we will be nibbling all day."

Merlin nods. "yes they keep the loneliness away and take you to the most wondrous places. They also teach you lots." He had a sad smile on his lips since that's exactly what reading was for him, like an escape from those lonelier days in the past and also in the present. Seeing Magnus still in awe with his gift made him feel warm inside, never before someone appreciated his gift so much. Most people just say thanks and shove it in their pockets without much thought, others didn't even take it. "I guess it is."

"I say you look around nine or ten, but not eleven, sorry it happened to me too. When I first arrived at Hogwarts I looked quite younger, but its ok you won't be the only one, most of the boys look younger at first. Girls tend to grow faster and then they get stuck and we grow taller..or so I hope."

Merlin had his mischievous smile on him and then adds. "So in truth he is the oldest here."

Merlin saw the girl called by Drew, he haven't met her before so he smiled and just said "Hello" and shyly waved.

Joe looked over at Lottie. "I think it's time for another smoke for me, " he said, getting to his feet. "I will be back in a little while."

Outfit Not Found

"Mind if I join you? I could use some fresh air." She stood up and followed Joe out.

Drew laughed and nodded. "Yeah, we are supposed to be tasting all sorts of things on the tour, which is great. But I'm looking forward to exploring the shops just as much as eating." He regarded Lena a moment before asking, "You've never had butterbeer before? It's pretty much a staple around here. But I like pumpkin juice too, especially when it's chilled."

Magnus smiled. "The 'ead mistress would box me ears when I were caught nicking 'er books. But the book supply was low at the orphanage. I likewise would read any and everywhere. Me favourite spot was in the woods. It 'ad a clear spot like a circle and wild flowers would grow there. And I'd lay on the ground and look up at the sky or read. It were me sanctuary. When I visit, I always go there. I do miss it. And reading or drawing was about all I was allowed to really do in Saint Mungos. It took me to places I couldn't go. 'Elped make that year less awful."

Niall nodded. "We have some books, but most are really battered because they are all donated. My favourite story is The Toadstool Tales by Beatrix Bloxam." Niall blushed, "I know. I'm small and thin. It helped people overlook me."

Joe gave Lottie a small smile, but his eyes were warm. "I wouldn't mind that at all...shall we...?"

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/8c1Q3Re.png[/img] Eros held a pint of butterbeer in hand as he scanned the room for . Searching the room several times, he gave up and went to find Harper (). "Where did your friend go?," Eros asked, eyes still looking around.

Merlin's face lit up when he heard Pumpkin juice. "I like butterbeer lots but I like pumpkin juice lots more! It is my favorite, so it's Tams...I asked her to come but she didn't reply." He shrugs.

"I was lucky to have many books to pick from, my mom has a vast library. My favorite reading place was in a hilltop, there was like a rock balcony with nice shade from a tree and the view...a beautiful plain surrounded by trees but inside it dragons. I feel so connected to them since I was little." He sighs remembering home. "I miss home but I also love Hogwarts."

The smile on Merlin's lips widened every time he heard the boy talk, and his excitement over a book made him happy. "I've never read that one, guess I'll have to check it out."

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/183070.png[/img]Harper turned to Eros () and frowned.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. She was talking to Magnus, and then ran off in a hurry, as she is want to do. I don't think she will be long getting back though. At least I hope not!"

()

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/8c1Q3Re.png[/img] Eros sighed and smirked. "I swear, everytime I WANT to find her, I can't. And when I don't she's always there," he shrugged, deciding to hang with Harper for a bit. Magnus was at a table with a lot of students and Eros was not feeling like squeezing in. He kind of ran off earlier and didn't want to think it was because of her. He didn't need two complaints about him when the workshop had barely begun. "Soooo...," Ero started, not sure how to make small talk. "Are you a foodie?," he asked. ()

"Ooo, we have pumpkin juices too at home. My favorite is Mango juice though."

Lena turned to the boy with silver hair and smiled lifting her hand to return his wave. "Hi, I'm Magdalena, but everyone calls me Lena. You're discussing books, yes?" She smiled. "A table of bookworms. I like you all already!"

Turning to the smallest boy at the table, Lena kept her thoughts to herself about how thin he looked. "Well, it's our job to grow. At least that's what my father says. So you will get bigger and," Lena gave a dramatic sigh, "it is true, you will all be taller than most of us girls."

Smiling at Merlin, Drew said, "I'm glad someone else likes pumpkin juice too. I feel like people are staring at me sometimes when I choose it instead of butterbeer. It's not that I don't like them both, I just like pumpkin juice more. It's cool that Tams likes it too. I really hope she came come later. Maybe she'll show up with no warning as a surprise." He grinned thinking how like the auror that would be.

As Lena introduced herself, Drew realized that she probably hadn't had a clue about his babbling of names earlier. He blushed slightly and said, "Sorry for not introducing everyone properly." Glancing at the girl as a lock of dark hair fell over his eye, he said, "Like I said earlier, I'm Drew. This is Magnus. And Merlin." He nodded to the boys as he called their names. "And Niall is the newest in our group of friends. Well, other than you." He blushed again.

Merlin slightly blushed when Magdalena returned his greetings. "It's a pleasure to meet you Lena, my name is Merlin or if you like short names like I do, then just call me Merls." Merlin already liked her, not only she liked fruity beverages but she liked books and that was a cookie point for him. "I must admit I prefer eating mangos rather than drinking them, but it is not a very common drink in my village."

"It seems like it is taking me too long to grow, everyone in my class is taller than me, even most of the girls." He giggles. "I still hope to grow a bit, maybe I'm a slow."

[Edit] "I hope she does show up when I least expect it. I miss her explosive personality." He grins. "I love how my mom makes the pumpkin juice for me, she makes it chilled -like the frozen butterbeer- and its just heavenly."