[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/222489.png[/img] Rosa Pinto had every intention of taking the students who signed up for the field trip until, that is, that she was given tickets to enter into a Salsa Competition. Unable to pass it up she wondered who would take the students. Then she thought of the perfect chaperone.

[img align=right]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/356434.png[/img] Jasper Cassidy got a letter from Professor Pinto asking him to arrive outside the castle and bring a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Muttering to himself, the man followed her instructions, but when he arrived in front of the castle he saw no sign of the professor. Instead there were several students all chatting away happily. Zoe Parker came up to Jasper and handed him a note. "Professor asked me to give you this," she said.

The letter read: Dear Mr Cassidy, I got elected to join in a Salsa competition. Surprise, you're the new chaperone! Portkey leaves promptly at 8am! Have fun." Jasper muttered darkly. It was 15 minutes till the portkey time.

He cleared his throat. "Students, please get ready, apparently I've been tricked...er given the chaperone responsibility for this trip. It would be a good idea not to bring your pets, unless you are wishing to feed them to something."

((OOC: Please don't bring pets. I'll introduce the animals you'll see by our tour guide and they'll let you know if its something that can be touched. The bus will roll out on Sunday morning. If you arrive late, please pretend you were always there. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me ooc, or in comments. This workshop will end the 19th unless we need a smidge longer.))

Lysandra was excited. They would get to see magical creatures! Her favorite subject and one she devoted herself to in her free time also. Her avid desire was a career in care for magical creatures and she used every opportunity to be around fantastic beasts. Which ones would they get to see in their day trip? Perhaps an Abraxan? Or even an Occamy? She would die for seeing one in her life. Or a dangerous Heliopath? Lysandra couldn´t stop ringing the changes, clutching her notebook so she won´t miss any information which would be worth to be written down.

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/N6wgHwT.png[/img] Ezekiel was more than excited. As a muggle-born he only knew so much about magical creatures, all reading from books; now he would see the fantastic beast live and alive! He was hoping to see a handsome Centaur, or a imposing Abraxan. A Thestral would be a memorable sight, but he was almost too frightened by the idea of passing by a nest of Acromantulas - he would probably transfigurate himself into a cricket and hide in someone's pocket. Either way, he couldn't contain the excitement, this would be his best experience at Hogwarts (so far)!

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/l5e3J33.png[/img] Jona stood, rolling from heel to toe as he waited around. The professor finally showed up, but it turned out to be the moody one that Jona didn't like very much. He really like Professor Pinto; she made him think of what it might've been like to have a grandmother. He wondered why she wouldn't be here for such a trip - they were about to go see a bunch of magical creatures after all. He shrugged the thought off and instead looked around at the few students who were there. He walked over to stand by someone who was obviously Hufflepuff, but hadn't yet spoken to ().

"Hey. what's up?" Jona tried to be as cool and casual as possible, channeling some of the other Hogwarts students he'd met so far. The coolest one he knew was definitely Drew,. the Slytherin guy that always gave Jona a hard time (). But Jona would never let him know how much he really admired him!

As they spoke, Jona waved to someone else () waiting around - another person he was pretty sure he hand't met yet. He beckoned toward her, signaling if she wanted to then she was welcome to join the little party he was forming.

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/388554.png[/img] Zoe was disappointed that she couldn't bring a pet or two. She desperately wanted to show off her amazing new pets from Christmas. Oh well, there would be other chances, she supposed. She was happy she chose to wear the bird specs she'd been wanting. Real birds were enchanted by them and would sit on the frame for hours. That she had no need of glasses whatsoever was immaterial. So with her two bags and binoculars she was fairly ready.

Zoe shifted uncomfortably. Jona () was already at ease chatting to other students. He made it look so easy. The Ravenclaw watched in awe as he spoke to two students already. (()) Zoe fidgeted with the strap of her messenger bag and wondered if she should read?

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/N6wgHwT.png[/img]Ezekiel was actually surprised that people noticed him and wanted to talk to him - He wasn't famous for his social skills. Even though he was nervous, it was always good to make new friends... right?

He was happy to meet a hufflepuff, Jona () looked like the popular kid of the house. Ezekiel simply smiled and waved "Mornin' housemate!".

From afar, he admired Zoe's () glasses with the two little birds, and they were moving! He wished he would need to wear glasses, and to have cool glasses too. Again he was lost in his fanciful thoughts.

After Lysandra had talked a bit to Jona, she noticed Zoe standing separated. What cute birds she had on her specs! Lys missed her cat Frida who wasn´t allowed on this field trip. Longingly, she eyed the birdies. What an excellent idea! She smiled at Zoe and wished she would come over, too.

Jona waved excitedly at Zoe from where he stood at the people. If she preferred to read, he wasn't going to make her come over, but he wanted her to know that she was always welcome. Jona circled his fingers around his eyes to and gave Zoe a thumbs up to show he liked her glasses. Smiling like a total dork, he turned back to the other guy he was talking to. "Ehhhhh, housemate!" Jona laughed, giving in to his goofy nature - what did he care as long as he was having a good time? "So, what's your name? I'm Jona! First year here - what about you?"

Jona then nodded at the other girl as she joined them. "Yay!!" He threw his hands in the air and did a little dance. "More people! Woop woop!" He held out his hand super-official-business-like to the girl and asked, "So, what's your name? Also, like, house and year? I'm Jona Fletch. Hufflepuff. First year." He shrugged when he said first year, already wishing he was well into his third of fourth year and knew everyone there was to know.

He looked back over at Zoe, wondering if she had made the decision to join the group or sit and read...

"Hi, Jona!" Lysandra smiled. "I am Lysandra Linrëthil from Ravenclaw, Lys for short. It´s my first year here in Hogwards." She sighed. "I miss my cat Frida. Do you have a pet with you here also?"

Zoe toed the ground with her foot, brining up a bit of dust as she did so. She had noticed that she was being noticed. She bit her lip shyly and tried to move but her body felt like stone. When Jona mimed to her, she finally headed over. "Hello," she said in a chipper voice, "Name's Zoe..." She felt her cheeks redden. "I'm in Ravenclaw. Er, have a nice holiday?" She smiled at Jona. "How's the puppy? I got two new pets for Christmas. Did ye all get things ye wanted?" She felt for sure she sounded like an absolute moron.

[img align=right]https://s26.postimg.org/n44pwyyft/Fade_HAField_Trip.png[/img] Fade strode down to the entryway and slipped outside. He had been expecting to see old Professor Pinto, but caught his breath when he instead laid eyes on the Librarian Mr.Cassidy. Who was in charge of the Library while they were away? Was he missing a golden opportunity to get his hands on a restricted book or two by attending? Well it was much too late now anyway, best to let it go and just enjoy the excursion.

Scanning the group Fade didn't see Sauvage anywhere, but spotted Zoe and trotted over to her. “Hey!” He waved. “Too bad they aren’t letting us bring our pets. I think Nox would have liked to come.” Nox was the name he had given his new pet raven, who had been a gift from Zoe. So far the bird had taken a liking to perching on Fade’s shoulder while the boy toiled away with homework and other such laborious tasks.

Looking over Fade grinned a nervous hello toward the other students gathered. It seemed he was early for once. The day was off to an interesting start.

( )

Zoe smiled when the fellow Ravenclaw arrived. She new him better than some of the others. "Hey Fade. Yeah, I wanted to bring at least one of mine too. I got a raven for Christmas myself and a Scottie dog!" It seemed the pet talk helped ease the shy girl's nerves. "I named the raven Erom Reven but goes by Erom. He was a gift from my Granddad and the Scottie is from my parents. He's black and sooo sweet. I named him... Reggie short for Reginald." She beamed. "THank ye so much for the lovely parcel full of drawing stuff. I've tried to make some sketches of Reggie and Erom. Wanna see? I kinda thought I could maybe draw some today."

"Aaaaactually, I just got a new puppy over vacation! I am so bummed I couldn't bring the lil furball with me, but you can totally meet 'em another time!" Jona just assumed that everyone wanted to meet his new dog. "Her name is Duncan. Maybe your cat Frida and my Duncan could become BFFs like those cute dog-cat videos where they cuddle together. In fact - " Jona nudged Zoe's arm when she finally joined the group. "She's the one that helped me pick out the pup And she named her, too!" Jona beamed with pride over his friend.

"Oh!" Jona chirped up as he noticed Fade () walking over. "Heeey, Fade. Just in case you're wondering," Jona giggled to himself at this because he knew the boy was in fact wondering. "Sauvage is in the Hufflepuff commons sick today. Figured you'd be curious to know why your girlfriend wasn't here." Jona rolled his eyes when he said the word and made kissy noises. Being eleven and all, the thought of having a romantic relationship with anyone was just about the most ridiculous thing Jona could imagine.

Zoe shyly smiled and blushed. "I'm glad ye like the little furball," she said. "And ye got me these amazing specs. I love 'em. Sometimes the birds that visit sing!" She couldn't take it anymore and suddenly burst out. "AND I got a doggy for Christmas too. Lil' black Scottie I named Reggie. He sleeps beside me and runs around on the moors with me. I can't wait for you to meet him! Duncan and Reggie, it sounds like doggie heaven ey? OOH and I got a raven too! His name is Erom Reven, I couldn't resist. He's really smart. Likes to sit on my shoulder and chew my hair. He can already speak a few words and he's great at mimicking the doorbell." She was practically bouncing and saying this so fast.

“Those are great names! Yeah, for sure. I’d like that.” He nodded at Zoe and felt suddenly exposed, not having brought his own sketchbook along. () Must be still too early to think clearly. Fade’s already nervous grin turned into a full force cringe, and his face turned bright red at Jona’s comment. () The kid certainly had a way with words, Fade had to give him that. The smooching sounds however... “I’ll have to get her a souvenir then, right?” He scratched his head. It was too bad she would be missing out, he would have to be sure to regale her with tails of the trip when they returned.

"YES!" Jona jumped up and down. "Our dogs are going to be the bestest of friends! It will be UGHmazing. People will tell stories of the brave Reggie and loyal Duncan. They will sing balads and write poetry!" Then Jona started going off into his own song that didn't make much sense but he followed through and finished it nonetheless. He smiled sheepishly as Fade, suddenly feeling bad for teasing and tried to make up for it by saying, "That's super nice of you! I know she really wanted to come, mostly 'cause she was pretty sure you'd be here." Jona looked around and whispered to Fade, hoping no one else could hear them. "She wouldn't tell anyone the details, but she kept talking about what a wonderful time she had a few nights ago. She didn't say in so many words, but it was pretty obviously she meant your guys' date." Jona finished by promising not to talk about it anymore and turned back to the group to sing part 2 of his first song. The chorus went something like: "And with a sniff of his butt And with a wag of her tail They set off for a journey Through wind and throuuuuuugh Haaaaaaaaiiiiiiil"

He then bowed to his crowd.

"Thank ye," Zoe said, "I thought they were. Ye gonna draw too?" She thought it was cute how Fade reacted about Sauvage.

Jona made Zoe burst out laughing. Between his song and dancing it was impossible to keep from laughing. "Ye are crazy, and I love it. What'd ye get for Christmas? Did ye have a nice holiday?"

Jona beamed, glad to give people some laughs. "I thank yee kindly, milady." He bowed specifically to Zoe this time. Then laughed, because he loved when people appreciated his craziness. "Yeah, Christmas was fun. I got a bunch of new clothes, most of which are too big right now, since my uncles didn't know my size when they bought 'em." Jona scratched his head awkwardly at that. "And, of course, there's Duncan - she's probs the best gift I got! And when my uncles saw her, they went to the local pet store, so most of the rest of my gifts were the basics for caring for a dog: food, bowls, leash, collar, and treats and toys." Jona thought for a moment and sighed contentedly. This has probably been the biggest Christmas haul I've ever gotten before." His smile was genuinely happy, but there was a touch of sadness there as well.

Outfit Not Found Keet was really looking forward to this trip, she couldn't wait to see more magical creatures! She had brought her sketch book with her to draw any new critters she might not have seen before. She was a little disappointed that she couldn't bring any of her birds with her, but she knew it would be safer for them back at the castle. She was glad that her new friend, Rain, was coming along as well. Oddly enough, they had both attended Ilvermorny, but had never gotten to know each other there. Keet had transferred to Hogwarts a few years before Rain as well. They both loved birds, and they had become fast friends, despite having been sorted into different houses.

Outfit Not Found Rain was excited for the trip too, she wasn't as familiar with some of the native magical creatures here. She wasn't an artist like Keet, but she had brought a pair of omnioculars that they could share if necessary. She looked about, wondering if she knew anyone else who was going on the trip. It was alright if not, she was sure that she could make some new friends, and she was happy to have Keet to chat with!

"Oh, Frida has many dog friends!" Lysandra confided "I am sure she would love a dog friend here, too!" She felt Frida touching her lightly through their bond and smiled. Yes, she would like that.