Toru pondered for a minute and glanced back at the two red-cheeked older students. It wasn't for their best I treat yo leave them alone, but also the Hufflepuff wanted to see where their feelings would take them. "I-I should p-probably h-head to the party." They said aloud and began heading to Madame P's. "H-Have fun."

Toru sighed when they were out of earshot, but also saw someone else who looked in need of company. They moved beside Lorcan. "H-Hello again, Lorcan."

((and all))

"Well I think it's good that she called to you. She sounds adorable. I think you'll love 'aving her around. Any idea of what you'll call her?" He chuckled. "Tag all you like."

"Well, I'm offering classes and stuff so I do need lots of paper," Blade replied. He noted to try to be patient if Nimah got too nosey. He didn't want to snap at anyone. He gave Toru a hug, since he thought the younger Hufflepuff needed it and he could offer that support, especially since Toru was his best friend. "Okay, Ru," Blade said. "Have a great time. Come and find us after okay? You'll be fine." He assumed that Toru was just suffering from nerves.

Once Toru was a fair distance away Blade realised he hadn't replied to Nimah. "Er... well I-I haven't really thought of er, kisses before," he said feeling his face get so hot. He kept staring at her lips even though he wanted to look away, it was like they suddenly became hypnotic. He honestly didn't know if he had any feelings for her other than friendship but the idea of a kiss was intriguing him. "I-I..." he stammered completely flustered, "think I'd... like a kiss." He seemed to incline forward without actually thinking about it, and then he planted a kiss on her soft lips. Then he pulled away blushing and not knowing what to say.

"Oooh, Jobberknoll sounds pretty logical! I didn't know they were used as writing quills as well.", Elizabeth replied and her face brightened up. () "Congrats on getting new pets! Of course I'd like to see your barn owl. Has he a name yet?", she inquired and wondered. "I never thought about making own quills, having only snakes. I know some feathers have an attachment that helps with writing - you could get a cheap one to try. Just remove the attachment and place it on the feather of your barn owl. Although the thought of breaking a quill pains me, I think that's the easiest way to make one on your own..." She trailed off a little once Zoe lifted the blanket of the cage. The owl was rather impressive and had beautiful feathers. "He's really handsome. Barn owls are actually my favourite kind of owls - they have such an interesting face. Makes them look very smart." She studied the owl for a moment before turning back to Zoe. "We have an hawk owl at home, but she actually belongs to my father...", she paused a little, "I'm quite occupied with my pets already." Her eyes widened in shock a little once Zoe lowered her voice. "Oh no, definitely not!", she replied quickly. Her mind started racing and she was feeling a bit uneasy. She couldn't blame Zoe, but did it look that strange or obvious? She tried to calm herself and dropped her voice as well, before anyone could assume anything else. "I mean...I'm already in a relationship. You have met him at the tea party. The pale, tall guy. He wasn't very fond of animals on the table.", she said and chuckled a little. "I...actually met Lorcan while going down to Hogsmeade...", she started explaining, skipping the part where she assumed Lorcan to be a muggle because of his choice of clothing. "It's funny...we know each other since we were kids. His family attended the same parties my parents did. But then they just...disappeared." She thought a little about explaining everything Lorcan told her. "His mother went missing and now they live on a small, secluded island in Ireland."

Lorcan didn't notice any of this. He looked over to Toru() and smiled, happy to have someone to talk with. "Hello Toru!", he replied and smiled. "Are you having a nice day? Your outfits looks pretty neat."

((and all))

“I’m honestly not sure if they are,” Zoe said biting her bottom lip. “I should check that out in the library. Oh thank you. Mhm, I named him Jareth. When I was little there was a er, production of a goblin king. Lots of songs and stuff in it too. His name was Jareth and well he was hot… plus he could transform into this gorgeous barn owl so I’ve always liked them.” She wasn’t sure if Elizabeth knew what a movie was but figured theatre might be close enough. “That’s a great idea. I can wait till a quill breaks on its own. I don’t like breaking them either. They are so pretty. I like to wave them and feel the air go through them. I love flying so having yer own wings has to be brilliant!” She presented Jareth to Elizabeth and beamed with pride as the Slytherin complimented her owl. “I love the mask on their faces too.” She smiled. “Hawk owls are so pretty. What are ye’re snakes named? I’ve nee had a snake before. But Dad does nee like ‘em around cos we have chickens. We catch them when we see them and relocate them to other lochs or places where they can nee bother farms. Zoe mentally face palmed herself. “Oh right that slightly broody guy… what was his name… Cross? He seemed a bit…stressed. I can understand, meeting people makes me anxious. Sorry for getting confused. Aww really? Poor Lorcan.” She wanted to go hug him right then but managed to keep herself in her spot.

The younger Hufflepuff did a little twirl for the Ravenclaw and smiled happily. "T-Thanks. I-I'm going t-to a tea party l-later." They admired Lorcan's outfit for a moment. "Y-Yours looks v-very comfy." Toru did enjoy wearing loose jackets most of all, and the Jeans looked worn in and comfortable. "A-Are you shopping?" They asked curiously since it didn't look like he had bought anything yet.

(and everyone else)

Paddy smiled, "you know me and names for my pets," she replied, "I never have much of a clue for ages... or until someone helps with a suggestion."

--

Niamh waved as Toru headed off, hoping that the younger Hufflepuff would enjoy the tea party. Before she could figure out what he was about to do, Blade kissed her, and her mind was full of thoughts she hoped she would never say out loud: hang on, did this really happen, my first kiss? Actually, he's quite a good kisser if that's anything to go by. He seemed at a total loss for words, and Niamh seemed stuck for something to say as well (which was really unlike her), so she flung her arms around him and gave him a hug. She hoped she hadn't overstepped the mark though; he seemed a bit uncertain when it came to things like this.

((and all))

"Hmm," Magnus said thinking, "Tortie, Torte, Shelly, Marble, Chloe, Darcy, Mable, Lola, Robin, Flame...."

Blade glanced in the direction that Toru had left in, hoping the party was fun for them. The hug surprised him. His parents weren't really the touchy type so it had been a fair while since he'd had a hug by just about anyone. Toru had recently. He didn't hate hugs per se, but they would take time to get used to. Still she smelt good. Vaguely he wondered if she wore perfume or if it was something in her soaps. He gave a little smile, thankful for the calming potion he'd taken. His mind wasn't racing as much as he was sure it would be without the assistance. "So er, wanna get a bite to eat after Dogweed and Deathcap?"

"To be honest, I never gave much thought on quill-making.", Elizabeth admitted to Zoe() and blushed a little. In fact, it was ridiculous how little people thought about such things like quills - perhaps because they were such a mundane thing? "So it's like a musical movie? That sounds interesting?", she replied and chuckled a bit as Zoe had explained the word 'movie' in a quite wizard-friendly way. "No offense. I have a muggle friend at home and we watched a lot of movies and series at her house. And...actually, my parents were not really happy about this at first, luckily not for a long time. In fact, they got a television pretty soon to watch documentaries. They are fascinated how informations and facts are presented in such an entertaining way.", she explained and giggled a little. "If one of my quills breaks in the next weeks, I know who could use it", she added with a wink. Jareth the barn owl seemed a bit sleepy, but that was just usual. His eyes were observant, though. "Flying classes are not my favourite, but I guess it's something completely different if you got your own pair of wings.", she admitted calmly. There was an undeniable freedom in the movements of birds in the sky...but there was still her fear of heights. "Father got the hawk owl because she looks more like a bird of prey than a regular owl", she explained, "but I think a barn owl would fit me much better in the future..." She sighed innerly. Future. The thought of that was overwhelming and she shook it off. "I'm glad you're not one of the families that kills snakes. If you or your parents ever need any help with them on your farm, just send me an owl.", she said and chuckled. She would explain that in her next words. "Well, there's Muir, he's a californian king snake and is white with black spots all over his body. The other one is Neirin, he's coloured in a dark green and...I don't know the species. I picked him up while getting school supplies in Diagon Alley last term. It took me ages to get the okay for snakes from my parents...the story is a bit complicated..." She paused for a moment, pondering. It was true she didn't know Zoe that well, but she was a down-to-earth and sincere person. Someone comfortable to talk to. "I want to be honest with you about this. Once I had my snakes at school and people noticed I could speak with them....well, some students must have told their parents as well. It strikes people with fear", she said and rolled her eyes. "My father works at the Ministry of Magic, and the other people there do seem to be mistrustful of him. Even coworkers he called friends. It's ridiculous because he can barely understand Parseltongue, let alone speak it, but the prejudices are strong. Luckily, neither my family nor the head of the department do care about such minor things. It's just a difficult time for us, but even my mum thinks we should not deny our heritage just because of such events." She laughed a little. "Corvus, but yes, you got his personality on point. He lives in London now and works for the Ministry. He was delighted to move to the UK, but is pretty preoccupied with his work and he got a lot of tasks.", she said and sighed at the mention of Lorcan. "I bet I only know a small fragment of the whole story...I'd love to know everything, but so does he...at least that's what I presume. ", she added and wondered if he was trying to suppress something.

Lorcan was surprised by Toru's twirl (), but it was actually quite cute and appropriate to the frilly dress. "I hope you're going to have fun there", he replied and tilted his head a little. "Well, I wear this at home pretty often. I blend in easily and it's just the right outfit for the changeable weather on the island.", he explained. "I don't know what to get yet. Maybe some sweets later. I love the selection Honeydukes has to offer. Though a new sketch book would be nice.", he admitted.

Toru looked surprised at the mention of a sketch book. "D-Do you d-draw, Lorcan?" They asked curiously. It caused a small giggle erupt from their throat. "If you d-do its s-something w-we have in common." The Hufflepuff admitted excitedly.

and everyone.

(and everyone else)

"Sure," Niamh replied with a smile, grateful that she didn't have to string a longer sentence together, "got anywhere in particular in mind?"

--

"You're the expert on thinking of pet names," Paddy laughed, "Marble sounds perfect!"

“I’m probably a minority. I’m too curious for my own good my mum likes to say.” Zoe was pleased Elizabeth knew what movies were. “Yes exactly. Oh I’m nee offended. I’m a bit surprised but really pleased to hear ye have a telly. Oh thank ye, I’ll let ye know how the experiment goes. Unless ye start seeing about 40 quills being passed around, then ye’ll know Zoe’s owl quills are working.” She giggled imaging owls in the owlry bald because they gifted her feathers. “I’m a child of the moors. I’m always out playing on them, so I guess I’ve kinda always been a free spirit and flying is one thing I’ve always wanted to do. I was ever so thrilled learning I could fly. I do understand that not everyone would want to fly, though.” She smiled. “I can see that. Birds of prey have a certain look that’s pretty neat.” Zoe look mortified. “Oh no, we do nee kill animals if we are nee going to eat them. It’s nee their fault and they are just doing what’s in their nature. I like their names.” She listened to Elizabeth’s explanation and nodded. “Snakes are nee bad or evil. It’s a shame that people are prejudice. It’s merely a coincidence after all. I mean it’s nee a common gift so it makes sense that it runs in a certain family line and all. Besides, look at Harry Potter. He could talk to snakes too. It’s a gift. I’d love to be able to talk to them myself, but that’s largely because I love animals.” She blushed at the corrected name. “I got most of the letters in his name at least. What does he do in the Ministry?” She felt bad for Lorcan.

“Well Grandmother Albrecht is always talking how good the food is at the Three Broomsticks. She says the Hog’s Head food is barely edible. She said the Broomsticks has lots of traditional food with a home cooked feel,” Blade replied. They headed inside the Herbology shop and Blade had a smile. He loved working with plants. His eye caught a display for a portable greenhouse and he started walking towards it without really thinking even. They looked a little like tents with shelves and was fairly large inside too. He wanted to get one for sure and some plants. The boy was pleased they weren’t very expensive. He picked up one of the kits in a box and brought it to the register.
((something kinda like that but a bit more spacious inside.))

“You wouldn’t happen to be willing to have it and the other things I buy taken up to the castle would you?” Blade asked.

“Sure, I got an assistant who can take it. Have her take your owl too if you’d like,” the clerk said.

“Excellent, that’d be perfect. Thank you,” he replied. Now Blade started gathering seeds for the greenhouse.

Magnus laughed. “Well I’ve got over twenty pets meself now,” he replied. “So, you never said, what shop you wanna go to next? You all done ‘ere?”

"Sounds like the Three Broomsticks might be the best one then," Niamh replied as they entered the Herbology shop. She smiled as Blade made a beeline for a display, and wandered round the plant displays while he took his purchases to the register. Niamh found a couple of animal-friendly houseplants which looked like they might liven up her room at home and took them to the clerk to pay.

"And there I was thinking I had a lot to look after, how do you manage to keep up with looking after them all?" Paddy looked in her bag to check she had everything she was after, "yep, I'm done here, and there's nowhere in particular I need to look, so I'll let you pick somewhere."

"Cool," Blade replied. He still felt all awkward but that was starting to ease. He bought vegetable seeds and some fruit bushes. He couldn't help himself with buying two flowering plants which were on sale. He had all ready to be taken to the castle along with his owl after he took a blossom from one of the plants. He handed the blossom to Nimah. "Er, for you."

"Well Mimsy cares for some but it ain't that 'ard. A good chunk of 'em fend for themselves." He gave it some thought. "Then let's 'ead over to Zonkos.

"Curiosity is not a sin, Zoe.", Elizabeth said and chuckled at the word 'telly' as it sounded pretty cute. () "I'll keep an eye out for quills made of a barn owl feather then", she added with a wink, before she smiled. "Isn't it beautiful there? My home town is Cottenham, and belongs to the fenland region, therefore it might be a bit similar to your home. Still, Scotland is more of a wilder, untouched kind of beauty. I wish we could explore more of it than just Hogsmeade. Maybe one day." She gave her next words a little thought while listening to Zoe and finally sighed. "It's rare to meet people who are not full of prejudices. I mean...I know I'm not the best example for sure, but still.", she started explaining and lowered her voice again. "It's all because of... Him.", she whispered, "and people love to gossip, but like you say, it's ridiculous." Her family has always been calm about their heritage, as they could not be sure for a long time if he was really gone for good or not. It had worked as the Dark Lord never got on their trail. She sighed innerly and shivered a little. It doesn't bear contemplating. And...where had she picked up that name for him? Elizabeth looked at Zoe again, thankful for shifting the attention to Harry Potter instead - which was a far less stressful topic. "I'm really curious how Mr. Potter dealt with Parseltongue. But I thought it would be presumptuous to ask. ", the young witch added and blushed a bit. "No worries. I will never tell him that you have not remembered his name. It's a rather unusual one after all, and his behaviour was not nice as well.", she reassured Zoe. "He applied for a job at the Department of Magical Transportation...and he's working at the Floo Network Authority for now. " She grinned mischievously. "Last week he send a letter where he complained about the methods there, considering new employees. He has to write long texts about the history of the branch of transportation and they make him clean the fireplaces at the ministry." She could literally imagine Corvus' slightly disgusted face while cleaning and let out a laugh. "Sorry about my imagination...it's funny to picture him there. Cleaning."

Lorcan smiled a little at Toru's excitement. () "Why yes. But I mostly draw anatomical things...like organs.", he explained, aware this maybe not suited for the younger Hufflepuff. But then, was it suited for anyone at all? "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I have a sick hobby.", he quickly added, "it's just that I have a thing for Magical Creatures. I want to know how they function. Like, how can a dragon breath fire and a common lizard can't? I'm not satisfied with people telling me that it's just the magic, there must be more behind it. I know it. And I will find it out." He stopped as he noticed how dedicated he sounded. "Sorry. I didn't want to ramble.", he said, trying to calm himself, "what do you draw?"

They blushed softly since it was unexpected, but it seemed to suit Lorcan's personality. "I d-draw and paint. I-I like landscapes, b-but I d-draw anything really." They listened to Lorcan talk about magical creatures. It was something they were also interested in. Well mostly Merfolk and Centaurs. "H-How do y-you f-feel about M-Merpeople?" They asked intereatedly.

and everyone (OOC: I actually have Lorcan's hair today. Woke up with a nice wave and everything.)

((and all))

“Good or I’d be in a world of hurt,” Zoe said giggling. She winked back at Elizabeth. Zoe was very pleased that she was getting on so well with Elizabeth. “Oh aye, I love Scotland. If ye get to explore, ye should. I can show ye around if ye’d like. It sounds lovely.” She nodded. “I know but that’s still dumb in my opinion. One bad wizard doing bad things doesn’t mean everything he could do was bad. Like the good magic was just used by a bad person. I know most do nee see that though.” She gave a pause and shook her head. “Oh I don’t think it’s presumptuous at all. He seems like a nice bloke who would be happy to talk about things like that.” Zoe smiled encouragingly. She couldn’t help a little giggle. Her mind dressed Corvus up as a chimney sweep. “OH I think my imagination went there too.”

Fade smiled. “I’ll show you what I mean when I get the stuff for it.” He wasn’t sure if Chase’s tail had swatted him in the back of the head by accident or not, so he ignored it. “Joke shop sounds good...” Going into the joke shop would be fun, all the shiny, colorful, glittering mischief making things made it feel more like a candy store to Fade. Besides, it was always good to have a few pranks on hand just in case the opportunity knocked. “Then after that, how about a walk? Feels like I haven’t been outside in a week.” Probably because he hadn't. Time was never something the boy was good at keeping track of. He pushed a bit of hair out of his eyes, enjoying the warmth that soaked into his shoulder from how close Sauvage was. It really was a nice day, he was happy he made it out to the town in time.

(and everyone else)

"Awww, thank you," Niamh replied with a smile as she took the blossom and tucked it into her hair, "I hadn't realised you liked Herbology quite so much - I think you must've bought half the shop!"

--

"That must be the advantage of a House Elf, but animals that can fend for themselves would definitely make things easier. I need to work on training Remus a bit more, so he doesn't chew things." She whistled to Remus, who was sniffing around a shelf of books, looking like he was about to chew the corner of one that was at Crup-height, "see what I mean?"

"You're welcome." Blade blushed a little but nodded. "Yeah I really love plants." Plus he needed to have some things that help produce food.

"Yeah but I try not to ask too much of Mimsy you know." Magnus snickered. "Yeah you 'ave a little chewer there and Snowden ain't that great either." They headed to Zonkos.

(& everyone)

Callista was about to put her phone down when she got another push notification. Mr Albrecht's response was...

A little alarming.

Girlfriend?

That had to be a translation mistake or something. She wasn't sure how to reply. She didn't have to reply immediately, though, just...before they left Hogsmeade.

And it was almost time for the party.

"Elizabeth, Zoe, are we ready for tea? It's time to head over. I'm not sure where Toru got off to, but I'm sure they'll be there. We worked on their coordinate for quite a while yesterday."

((OOC: I so didn't mean to be absent all weekend and not start things on Saturday, but I got sick, then I had a lolita thing that wore me out and work was crazy yesterday. But tonight we should be able to play it! There may be a surprise guest at the party.))