Sauvage looked up when she saw the girl () return on her broom and quickly glanced at Zoe () to make sure everyone would remain civil. At the moment, it seemed calm so she continued knitting and whispered, "Zank goodness." Her attention was drawn once again though when she saw Magnus enter the picnic area; she waved back and winked at him, motioning towards Fade () as if to say, "It finally happened!" But when she turned back to her knitting, her heart just was not in the work of it anymore. She sighed. Looking up at Fade and making a mental note of the sketchbook he had opened on his lap, she asked, "Is everything alright wiv Magnus? 'e looks...drained."

"Hey!" Jona was a little annoyed, feeling suddenly forgotten. The furry girl had joined them and though Jona was still unsure of what her complexion meant, he was welcoming her difference since everyone else didn't seem to mind. And now another girl was coming! Jeesh, did guys even exist at this school? He called out to them: "You girls just gonna stand around with the water at your ankles or are we going for a swim?"

"I don't get on with swimming," Paddy replied to Jona, "all this fur kind of weighs me down when it gets wet. But I think Snowden wants to give it a go, if you don't mind him splashing everywhere."

Niamh watched everyone else get into the water, still uncertain of how cold it would seem.

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/371119.png[/img] Lily was so excited to go swimming and wanted to put the weirdness behind them. She didn't like talk of family and blood and didn't believe that your family had the right to decide who you'd be. That's why she was at Hogwarts.

When Drew () winked at her, she smiled at him. She was a little intimated by him seeing as he's an upperclassman... She was also still a little shook from the full bow he gave her at the feast.

She saw Zoe accio her bathing suit and wanted to try the same, so she whipped out her wand and gave it a try. "Accio bathing suit" when her bathing suit came flying from the Hufflepuff common room she jumped in excitement. "That is so cool!" The Wizarding world would never cease to amaze her. Not knowing how to do a switching spell quite yet, she hangs some of the blankets up between some trees in the distance and changes. (Ooc: Changed my HA...whew I find the wardrobe so overwhelming!) she runs back up to Zoe () "You have to teach me that spell!"

She bends down and pets the small dog. "Come swim with us!" She was completely in her element outside, and didn't wait for Naimh's () response before quickly running in the water and diving in headfirst.

"Sure Lily," Zoe agreed. "Its a useful spell for sure."

Zoe watched as Lenore came back. She shook off the feelings of dread. "Well we can watch him and if he can't we can ask someone else to watch him for a bit." She smiled to Niamh. "Er no idea. We can check. Ye know with the water temperature spell.

Zoe noticed the sound of indignation in Jona's voice. Maybe he was a little sensitive of being overlooked too. "Coming," she said patiently. She plunged into the water happily feeling the tension roll off her.

Magnus smiled. "Llo. 'Ow you Fade, Sauvage?" His keen hearing heard her ask Fade if he was okay but he let his friend answer that.

Fade looked up and set his quill down. “Yeah, he just needs to relax ‘n enjoy some good company.” By now most of the students knew his friend was a werewolf, but Fade still didn’t feel like it was his place to declare it in front of the others. Just in case.

Realizing Sauvage had set her knitting down, he tilted his head to the side. “Finished already?” Grinning over at his friend, trying to pretend like he wasn’t blushing, he shrugged. “Pretty alright man, can’t complain.”

( )

"Thanks," Paddy replied, "I'll watch from dry land, so if he gets into any trouble I can come and scoop him up. Wading into water is ok, I just don't choose to get my fur wet for fun!"

Niamh stared, "the water temperature spell?" She suddenly felt that she knew nothing, even though she was doing quite well at 4A, and thought she would be at least in the top half of her classes this term.

Sauvage accepted the answer and decided it was likely the best course of action to just be normal - whatever that meant. She noticed Fade's () nonchalant response to Magnus and she could not help but giggle. "Oh, you cannot complain?" She asked him, now slowly scooting closer to ruffle his feathers a bit. "'ow cool of you to be unphased when one could almost consider zis our first date. But, 'ey, I cannot complain eizer." She smiled coquettishly and quirk her eyebrow just so at Fade to say "your move". Inwardly, she hoped the guys ( ) would find this more entertaining, watching their friend squirm rather than gross and lovey dovey.

Jona was happy again as Lily () dove into the water next to him - "Now that's how you make an entrance!" - and Zoe () caught up. He thought briefly about Paddy's () recognition of her furry self and felt bad about ever questioning her person just because of her outside. He also wondered about this other girl who randomly appeared out of nowhere and then shared cookies with only Zoe. Was he not worthy of friendship cookies? Whatever. Jona threw himself under the water as well, trying to see just how far down he could swim before needing to rush up for air again.

Paddy watched as Lily dived into the water, enjoying seeing Snowden having fun splashing around with them. Despite her concerns, he seemed an excellent swimmer, so she sat on the grass, happy to just watch from a distance.

Niamh looked at Jona and realised he seemed a little .... well, put out would be a good description. She suddenly realised why (or at least she thought so), and dashed back to the picnic basket. A minute or so later she was back by the lake as if she'd never left, and placed a large plate of chocolate chip biscuits on the grass for anyone to have. She sighed as she realised she needed to improve her socialisation skills if she was going to make friends here. Life was so much easier when you just kept your head in a book.

( and anyone else who's here :P)

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/nBNbztm.png[/img] Elizabeth listened carefully at Callista's words (). "I think some people just are like this...I mean, it's not wrong if they are happy with that, but an attitude like hers can easily irritate others with a different mindset.", she added thoughtfully before she chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't have allowed you to leave our Common Room like this.", she said amused and took a sip of her tea. "It's definitely a terrible insult", she said with a calm voice, sounding slightly different and stared into her teacup, before blinking a few times and put a smile on her face. "Fish and Chips tastes amazing. I'm just not quite hungry yet.", she added, looking at Sabrina who seemed to have taken an interest in the remains of Callista's snack.

Her eyes wandered over the lake scenery, watching some of the students getting ready for swimming. Elizabeth didn't had any intention of joining them - in her opinion, it was not warm enough and then she didn't bring swimming clothes with her. And lastly, she just didn't want to leave her little group. Then suddenly, Zoe walked over to them again. Surprised, Elizabeth noticed that the Ravenclaw Head Girl had cleaned her clothes and she gave her an encouraging smile. "Of course I'll do that.", she said when she took the sealed note and carefully placed it in her pocket, before turning her attention to a picnic basket, ordering another cup of tea.

With the hot cup in her hands, Elizabeth was trying to enjoy the afternoon after the heated discussion earlier. She closed her eyes for a while before Lenore came back. () "I don't mind, it's okay. I can understand your reaction. You were greatly hurt", she replied, "everybody knows some gossip about the old families. Though, to admit, you weren't a role model in the discussion as well." She gave her a crooked smile at the last sentence, then reached to her pockets. "Zoe asked me to give you this", she added and handed Lenore the sealed piece of parchment.

Outfit Not Found

"It's okay, Noe. We've been living in the same House for how many years? Everyone goes off the rails occasionally. I would have lost my mind if someone had said that about my family." Callista sighs. "That said...I don't think she has any idea what she actually said, because if she's Muggleborn, she can't really know. She hasn't got family who lived through all that, neither family who were attacked, nor family who were too close for comfort and had to keep walking a difficult line through those years. And I don't think she knows what was really upsetting us, either. She reminds me of one of the baby cousins who just hasn't internalised the family standards yet and still has to be told to wash their hands and dress for dinner."

Callista glances at the lake. "At least she's been immersed in water, now. Do you suppose it's a lost cause? I don't want her spreading rumours like that about us."

Jona's lungs began to burn so he came flopping up to the shore where a plate of friendly cookies. He squealed in delight and ran over to the plate, grabbing two cookies and shoving them both in his mouth. Eyes widening, He swallowed and looked at the bearer of said cookies. "These...are..." He licked his lips for effect. "AMAAAAZING!!"

"Thanks Liz." Lenore smiled back at the girl, feeling a bit more comfortable now that she knew she hadn't messed up their relationship. And hearing that you've behaved badly is easier to take when it's from a friend. "I know I wasn't. My family and the Dark Lord are a touchy subject though." She leans back on her giant pillow and crosses her outstretched legs, then she pulls out her wand, conjures a deep red ribbon, and sends it flying off toward one of the castle towers.

When Elizabeth gives her the letter, Lenore is surprised. Opening it silently she reads it and her thoughts toward the Ravenclaw, Zoe () soften just a little. Pulling a quill from her bag, she scribbles the words Me too. on the back and re-seals it with her wand. She then sends the little note hovering back to land on the blanket where Zoe had left her things.

When Callista () spoke, she made a good point.

"You're right Callie. Someone who was raised in the muggle world really wouldn't understand about the wars between wizards." Lenore said thoughtfully. "She probably doesn't even understand why she uses the name You-know-who, it's just what she's heard others say." she sighs and then a smile creeps onto her lips. "The comparison to a baby cousin is so fitting that's it's almost comical." She glances over at where Callie was looking and sees that Zoe is indeed immersed in the lake. She laughs, not fully but it's a start. "Maybe we could conjure some bubbles out there."

After a few minutes go by, the reason for Lenore's ribbon can be seen. Her large Stygian owl comes soaring down and drops a small bottle into her lap before landing beside her, red ribbon clamped in his beak.

"Thank you Pallas." she takes the ribbon and hands the owl a treat before caressing his head gently.

"Pallas knows all of my hiding places." she explains to her companions. "We have a ribbon system worked out for times like this. Scotch?"

She pulls three crystal tumblers from her bag and raises the small bottle.

(( Thanks! ))

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/369597.png[/img] Meanwhile, Hollynd had been sitting alone, totally concealed under the thick boughs of a willow engrossed in reading a fashion magazine. It was an Italian Vogue, from the Muggle world. Her pet raven Laertes alternately perched on her shoulder and hopped up into the tree. Her bag held a pair of toe shoes that needed stitching, a notions pouch, a flask of tea, a mixture of dried cherries and nuts, and a pair of Extendable Ears. The willow hid her well enough that she didn't need the Extendable Ears, and her own ears burned when the Slytherin Head Girl fighting with the Ravenclaw Head Girl mentioned Muggles and blood purity. She shoved the magazine into the bottom of her bag, vowing to herself to only read Muggle things when she had complete privacy. Who knew there was going to be a giant picnic near her favorite reading spot?

She found a comfortable checked picnic blanket in the midst of everyone. Some people were eating and drinking from the baskets, others were engaged in conversations, and a few brave souls were even swimming in the cold autumn depths of the lake. "It's warmer out than usual, but not hot enough for that," Poppy noticed in surprise. "I should have brought Biscuit but it's just as well. There are too many bigger pets for her to be out here too."

Now settled, she considered what to order and who to talk with. Poppy happily observed that Sauvage had brought a knitting project, that there was a good mix of houses present, that some of the students from Egypt were milling around, and that there were both girls and boys having fun on the gorgeous fall day. She pulled some roses from her bag that had been divested of their thorns and charmed to last. It would be smart to start her holiday wreath while she decided what to eat. The roses smelled heavenly and their scent lingered in her hair.

From what she could see a group of Slytherin girls were chatting () () () (@ twilight_wanderer), Jona and some Gryffindors () were snacking by the shore, some girls were splashing around in the lake () (@ raven), Magnus and Drew () were hanging out with and Fade () who looked a bit cozier than friends were, and a pretty Ravenclaw () was lounging on a pillow.

(OOC: Think I got everyone!)

Dodger gave a welcoming woof and nudged Magnus with his nose as the younger boy plopped down on the blanket. Drew eyed his friend a bit critically, noting his pallor, and said, “Hey, Mags. How are you holding up? Have you eaten anything yet? I haven’t ordered yet so what’s it going to be?” He well knew that Magnus wouldn’t eat much, if at all, during a cycle unless he was prompted a bit. Now Drew was glad that he hadn’t had a chance to get food so he could use true reasoning on his friend.

As Fade and Sauvage spoke to Magnus, Drew smiled and he tried to fight back a snicker as Sauvage scooted closer to Fade. He had so asked for that oneDrew thought to himself with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Maybe it would teach him to act cool around a girl. Sauvage was the type who could turn your world upside down, but he was glad to see his two friends together at last. Of course seeing Fade get so flustered was just an added bonus.

“Seems we might have some nice entertainment with our meal,” Drew commented with a wink at Magnus, inclining his head slightly toward Fade and Sauvage.

(( And if I missed anyone I'm sorry))

Magnus nodded to Fade’s words but added, “Fullmoon.” He snickered at Sauvage’s reply. “Ooh you asked for that Fade.” He sprawled himself out on the blanket. “I’m alive and kickin, Drew,” he said. He shook his head. “Came straight from me dungeon bed. Dad says ‘i, but ‘e couldn’t stay.” Magnus sat up a bit. “Well with the way Fade is squirming it’ll be fun to watch.”

Zoe nodded to Paddy. “It must take a long time to dry out. Do you do a drying spell or just let it air dry?” She hoped this wasn’t rude to ask.

“Oh I don’t know if its something taught in schools,” Zoe replied to Niamh. “I just kinda found one.” She waved her wand and did a nonverbal casting. “It appears to be about 80 F or 26.7 C, which is rather warm this time of year but might be a little cool for ye. I’m nee sure.”

Zoe entered the water and took off with a fast breaststroke. She returned after few moments. “I love water.” She saw Jona now snacking on the biscuits. The girl chuckled. This boy was a ball of energy for sure. “Should we play a game guys?”

~Later: Zoe saw her note back on the blanket and smiled when she read that the Slytherin was also sorry. She tore off to the dorms and came back, changed in outfits. This time, she had silver sandals on with a silver dress and she had a small basket hiding behind her back. She approached Lenore. “Pardon me, but, well,” she said shifting her weight nervously, “I just wanted to give ye this.” She showed her a woven basket that had heather growing in it. “It’s from the moor where I live. Looking at it makes me happy. I made the basket too. It will nee leak or get dirt about the place. I know Slyhterin house is in the dungeons but, there’s a few light spells that’ll help it.” Was she rambling? She bit her lip. “Anyway, I’d like ye to have it. I hope if we speak ever again it’ll be better.” She gave a small curtsy since she was in a dress and parted with, “I’ll leave ye be now.”

Outfit Not Found

"Wait!" Callista says to Zoe. "Just a minute, okay? Let me clarify a few things." She sighs. "Nobody brought up families until you did. We were upset when you first came over because you were covered in dirt and we were eating our lunch, so we couldn't shake hands with you then, and I was about to explain when you two had words. I am a pureblood, and so is Lenore, but...we're not prejudiced. Just please, don't ever bring up the old war in an argument again, okay? You didn't grow up on stories of how awful it was. My cousin Blaise was at Hogwarts when that was all going on, and I've heard so many terrible stories about it growing up that sometimes I think I lived it myself. And it's not people's fault what their ancestors did. My friend Juliana Malfoy went to Durmstrang to get away from the rumours."

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/371122.png[/img]

Lily playfully splashed Jona () with the cold water. It didn't bother her much, since she loved swimming. "So I'll bet you I can hold my breath longer." She jeered Jona. She swam deep into the murky water, hoping to maybe come across a tentacle or two. When she came up for air, she noticed everyone had left her in the water. She shrugged it off and did a few laps before coming back to shore, where everyone was eating cookies.

"So no scary giant squid to be found." she says with disappointment in her voice, while she squeezes the lake water out of her hair.

"Thank you for the cookies, Naimh." () Lily smiled at her before munching happily. She also wondered about Paddy's appearance, but was afraid to be rude. Maybe she'd be able to find out more about her later. "So, Zoe about this quick changing spell..." She looks so excited to learn a new spell. "I'm not great with them...but my Mom is an herbologist and has taught me a few things, if you ever need. Before I came to Hogwarts, she even taught me a few things about magical herbs, it's about the only thing I knew about this place before coming here." She clenches her fists a little but instead grabs another cookie and looks over the lake.

Later on, she notices the Slytherin girl that Zoe () had words with earlier fly back over the lake. She watches as Zoe goes over to her, wondering if it was a good idea and if maybe she should stop her. Not wanting to impose, she let Zoe do what she thought was best. She can't help but eavesdrop and is reassured when Zoe apologizes.

Niamh laughed at Jona's reaction to the cookies, "I can't take credit for making them," she replied, "but I will admit they are tasty." Looking over at Zoe, she realised the water was a lot warmer than she'd expected. "That's actually quite warm," she replied, thankful that she knew the quick changing spell so she could change into her costume quite easily. She wasn't too sure if she should dip her toe into the water or just jump, but as she neared the edge of the water, the furry girl's puppy swam towards her, and barked. Niamh jumped.... and landed in the water. "Not quite the entrance I was planning," she muttered, hoping she didn't look as much of a fool as she felt.

"I let my fur air dry," Paddy replied to Zoe, "all the drying spells I've used before, just make it really frizzy." Deciding that Snowden was having enough fun to leave him to it for a while, Paddy stood up and made her way over to where Magnus was sitting. "How's things?" she asked, knowing that it was going to have been a rough full moon.

( and everyone else :P)

Jona nodded his head vigorously whne Zoe suggested a game then noticed Lily's disappointed look when she came back from the water. He smashed one more cookie into his mouth then said, "Wanna try again? I'm down to go squid hunting! But like, not actual hunting. I just wanna see it." And he couldn't help but laugh when the cookie bearer fell into the water after being startled by a puppy. Jona was rolling along the shore laughing while holding his sides to somehow temper the stitches that were splitting his ribs from laughing so hard.

When the words ‘first date’ fell from Sauvage’s lips, Fade visibly paled. His hair becoming a lighter shade of pastel blue. Holy shit, what if this was their first date and he had come so woefully unprepared... But just as he began to grit his teeth a thought occured and he swallowed his fear. “I think our official first date should be a bit more private, don’t you agree?”

He narrowed his gaze at the other boys playfully when they made comments about ‘dinner and a show’ but still remained sort of white in complexion. Thankfully Paddy arrived to take the edge off. “Hey’a Paddy.” He noticed how she looked particularly well as opposed to how sluggish Magnus was. ( )