"Nice of you to join us, Fade" () Gaia snickered. "Welcome Aria!() Our new club member. I see you have met some of our members. Thank you for joining us! I was waiting for everyone to show up to our session. I will give a couple more minutes and then we will begin. This session we will cover fairies, winged horses, and owl habits." with that Gaia turned around to look for her parchments and designs. She motioned for Aderyn to come meet with her before the lesson. ()

He saw Fade enter and yelled "Over here mate," flagging the boy to him and the others. As his friend approached them it gave him a moment to think. Aria's reaction was not exactly what he expected and wanted work out how to say what he thought. "'Ey there," he said giving her a pat on her shoulders with slight squeeze, "don't feel bad for me now. There were times it was tough, but everyone else there 'ad the same thing. And when one o' the little ones started ta cry I'd tell 'em that whilst it was difficult we 'ad each other and not many kids 'ad so many others ta play with. I often let the little girls put me in dresses for tea parties and stuff. On Christmas the charities would come 'round and bring presents and Hot Pies. We'd sit 'round the fireplace and sing Christmas songs drinking our only drink o' hot chocolate for the year. When everyone was asleep I'd take off at night and go to me favourite spot in town. I'd draw and read by torchlight. Course, I wandered off in the day time too, but the night was me own time where I got ta be by meself an' all. And if I 'adn't've been attacked just after me ninth birthday, I'd never've gotten me parents. Couldn't go back to me orphanage you see. And no one knew what ta do with me either, so I lived in Saint Mungo's near a year. Then the Lee's came round visiting a relation that got attacked by a spider. They took a shine to me and adopted me. Twasn't the normal way, but I got parents now." He reached in his pockets and handed her a chocolate frog. "We may not 'ave it like everyone else, but look where we are. We've all got this." He smiled warmly as he swept his hand around indicating Hogwarts. "And only us magic folks got this, eh?" Then he said, "This is Fade, 'e draws too and Beth 'ere's got a griffin and has 'elped teach me lots o' spells." He was pretty sure it was the first time Fade had heard his story.

Finding a seat in the proximity of the others, Fade thought learning about winged horses sounded awesome. Observantly he tuned into the story Magnus was telling Aria. He was surprised with how openly and easily Magnus was talking about his past. Even without anything interesting to keep quiet, Fade hardly ever went out of his way to talk about his early childhood. It felt strange to consider Magnus’s perspective. Growing up without parents was something he didn’t like to think about for very long. Scratching his arm nervously he suddenly felt guilty for being late to school because he had been spending extra time with his mom and dad. His sun-lightened hair darkened subtly, difficult to notice in the dim dungeon classroom light.

When Magnus introduced him, he smiled and nodded a hello toward Aria . “Hey. Nice to meet ya’.” The Bengal cat on his shoulder meowed, not liking to be left out. “This is Chase.” Fade reached up and pet the cat's head softly.

"Didya 'ave a nice holiday, Fade?" he asked. "We went to a Quidditch match, where me mum introduced me to her old team. They wouldn't stop pinching me cheeks and rubbing me 'ead. Kept talkin' as if I were a baby and saying they should throw mum a baby shower. Mum was beaming from ear ta ear though so I tried to make do an' all. They did let us play with them though which was nice."

“That sounds so awesome! I mean, not the being treated like a baby part. Wish I could have played Quidditch. We went on a Muggle vacation. Pointing at his face Fade added. “I got tan. Arms got burned.” He pushed back a sleeve to reveal a bright red arm underneath. Quickly he replaced it because the dungeons were chilly. What he really needed was for someone who was half decent at potions to make him some sort of aloe salve. All his attempts thus far had failed rather spectacularly.

Aria smiled shyly at the professor () and wondered how she seemed so familiar. She was also shocked that the professor spoke to her by name, I wonder if that is normal around here, she thought to herself.

Aria welcomed the newcomer to the group with a small finger twirling wave. "It's nice to meet you Fade(). I love your cute cat, you should see if Chase wants to play with Dax." Aria looked over her shoulder and gestured to the sleeping griffin. "He is harmless and really enjoys playing a lot."

Turning back, Magnus stole Aria's attention and began to tell the shortened story of his youth.

Aria smiled imagining Magnus () dressed up in dresses for tea parties. "You sound like an amazing big brother," she commented after he was finished. "I am so glad you were able to be adopted, that is really good to hear." Aria was surprised as Magnus offered her a chocolate frog. "Oh, how I love chocolate, thank you!" she exclaimed in delight. Just as she took the chocolate in her hand, the frog jumped. Aria dropped the frog on the table and screamed. "IT MOVED!! Why did it move?!" Aria looked absolutely horrified while gaping at the frog. Dax perked up and took great interest in the frog moving around on the table top.

"Yes, it is," Beth said in agreement. "Dax is so cute! How old is he?" Beth asked Aria () curiously. "Moony, my baby griffin, is sleeping over there," she said, pointing at one of the benches. "I think griffins are amazing creatures."

"Hi, Fade (). Welcome back from break." Noticing his sunburns, she asked, "Would you like some Star Grass Salve?" She dug through her bag, trying to find it. "I always carry some for Lyn. She's quite decorated in personal injury herself." "Feel free to keep it. I have loads of these back in my room," she said as she handed him the balm.

"Yeah mum played at school when she was 'ere. Knocked me dad off his broom and then felt bad 'e was unconscious for a week. So they started dating and then after school mum played Quidditch for a few teams. She plays dirty lemme tell you. She taught me o' course too. Makes Quidditch stuff now. Dad's an Unspeakable for the Ministry. Ooh should've liked to have gone to a beach for holiday. But 'ere..." he dug into his bag and pulled out a bottle. "Rub this on ya and you'll be good in about an hour, twon't even be any red left. Keep it 'andy cos you know, I get into trouble an' all."

He nodded, "I'm 'appy ta have parents, but it's 'ard sometimes cos used to being on me own and doing what I want. Now I got rules an' stuff." Aria dropped her frog and Magnus laughed lightly. "'Ere, try a chocoball instead, it don't move." He pulled out another sweet from his pocket and handed it to her. "The frogs got a spell on 'em to make 'em jump. Good sort of fun an' all I 'spect. Took a bit o' getting used ta though when I first saw the sweets. Rather different than the muggle sweets ain't they?"

Aria nodded in near shock and amazement that the frog was moving.() "But you can eat this frog, right? It does not have feelings?" Aria looked puzzled and worried that the frog might be somehow alive. "I'm afraid I'm not very used to magic yet, my mom never talked about it, ever. In fact, I didn't even know it existed until I started to have things happen to me, that I was somehow causing!" Aria grinned remembering a few of the funny things that happened. "Like one time I set off all the water spouts in the school, just because I really did not want to take a math test." Aria giggled almost uncontrollably at the memory. Aria accepted the chocball with caution, but when it did not move she quickly ate it. "Mmmm, very good, Thank you" she said after finishing the delicious treat.

Aria looked over at Beth(), "Dax is just 2 years old now. He'll be growing a teeny bit more, but by the time he is 4 he should be fully mature." Aria looked where Beth pointed to see her baby griffin sitting on a bench. "Moony is so adorable! How old is he?" Aria nodded at Beth's opinion and love for griffins, "They are quite beautiful creatures, I just love them."

"You can eat it, its just chocolate. Don't have any feelings or anything. The spell is just an animation spell. 'Ere, watch." He took his drawing journal and opened it to a drawing of a unicorn. Waving his wand he said, " Paizo." The drawing reared up on the paper and pranced. Then it stood still end went back to a drawing." I learnt it from a book when I was in Mungos. Might've made some items animated for amusement. You can put a permanent charm on 'em to make them stay animated." He couldn't think of any amusing stories for him and felt no one would enjoy his tales since most weren't positive. But he smiled with her tale.

Fade smiled over at the sight of Dax. “Yeah if it’s got feathers Chase will wanna play for sure. But he can be sort of bossy sometimes.” Chase of course did not like being called bossy and so thumped Fade in the face a few times with his tail. Holding up a hand so as to deflect any further blows, Fade giggled at Aria’s (()) reaction to the chocolate frog. He chanced a glance toward to see if she had noticed, before turning to Beth. (()) “Thanks so much, Beth! Did you have a good holiday as well?” Blushing slightly he took the Star Grass Salve and promptly rolled up his sleeves to apply it. Any other burned areas would have to wait till later, he wasn’t about to go topless down here in the cold dungeons, sunburn soothing or not.

“Your parents sound like fun.” He mused when Magnus (()) had finished, and gratefully accepted the balm he offered as well. “Mine are mostly into reading books. But I guess dad can get a little… rambunctious after a few drinks.” Fade rolled his eyes at the thought. “Was you mom a witch?” He asked Aria, trying not to lean too far forward in his seat. “Mine never said anything to me either. Then I got my acceptance letter, now I’m here, and it’s weird right?” He blushed and sat back realizing he was getting a little over excited. His hair promptly washed from pale blue into a soft pink and finally settled on a lilac hue. To distract himself he went back to rubbing the various salves he had acquired from his friends onto his arms. “Just feels unfair I guess…” In comparison to a few of the others stories, it didn’t seem like he should have any right complain.

Out of the corner of his eye he watched Magnus’s drawing gallop around the page, and repeated the spell to himself over and over again making a mental note to practice the technique later. “That is freaking cool. Pai-zo? Gotta remember that.”

() "He's a little over a year old. He loves being the center of attention. Do you own more griffins?" Beth asked Aria curiously.

Beth turn to Fade () and said, "You're welcome. I had fun over the holidays. I actually spent the majority of it back here at Hogwarts. I got to celebrate some new traditions with friends."

"I can't imagine growing up and not knowing my magical heritage. I live in a wizarding village. I've never really interacted with Muggles before. I mean....I do visit my Muggle family occasionally, but that's really the only interaction I've ever had with Muggles." ()

Aderyn was talking to Emmy () when she noticed waving her over to the front corner of the room. Begging off, she stood and strode over to where Gaia was waiting for her, smiling at the other girl.

"What would you like me to do?"

((OOC: OMG sorry it took me so long to reply, I've been SO BUSY this week!!!))

()

"I just need your help in doing our enchantment and I need to do the wing charm! I figured you would also like to be part of the presentation!" Gaia winked at her friend.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one to get engrossed in chatting to my pet," Paddy laughed, "I talk to Mouse for so long I can forget the other person's there." Never having met an Owl-Griffin before, she gently tickled the top of Dax's head, checking his reaction. The longer Paddy watched them, the more convinced she was that Magnus () was really on edge near Dax. She didn't like to mention it, as she wasn't overly keen on being near a snake - something about the way they move just freaked her out.

"That's a shame Chua is cranky," she mentioned to Sam (), "I'm pleased Mouse doesn't get in a foul mood when she moults!"

Listening to Fade (), she realised that she hadn't a clue what a real Muggle vacation would be.... nor a wizarding one for that matter, as werewolves weren't exactly the best travelling companions. "Muggle holidays sound like they could still be fun," she said to Fade (), "least it sounds like the weather was good."

(OOC: Sorry for the delay - RL has been a bit hectic here the last week or so)

With Aderyn's help Gaia managed to get her demonstration going; stepping from behind the blackboard she called attention from the members.

[img align=left]http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac299/blissfuldaisies/Random/HAFairydust_zpssyed05tz.png[/img] With a wave of her wand Gaia let the fairy dust fly over the crowd. The little specks buzzed and laughed around the room while flying between members and pets alike. "Don't worry! They aren't real fairies. Aderyn and I worked on a spell to create fairy dust that recreates what fairies look like in their natural habitat." Gaia released a second wave of fairy dust and then a third. The enchantment only lasted a minute or so. The fairy dust will fly high and explode into colorful fireworks.

( )

With one thing and the other, Ethel ended up being horribly late for her favorite club! Luckily she was able to sneak in at the last minute and hide in the back of the crowd, where she hoped her tardiness would go unremarked. Better late than never, eh? As the old adage goes.

Just in time, too! No sooner had she found the perfect place to lurk than was lighting the room with fairy dust. As the fairy twirled merrily above her she ooohed and aaaahed appreciatively. How wonderful!

If too difficult to read drag to url bar

[img align=left]http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac299/blissfuldaisies/Random/HAFairywing_zpsjwp1vol9.png[/img] "As you can see here Fairies are small and according to research not very smart; however, really vain. This is not necessarily true to ALL fairies. A half-breed is possible. Through time it has become more common for witches and wizards to have characteristics of creatures. We all ready covered werewolves which we know can live both as human and wolf. Fairies pass on characteristics and abilities. This can be a witch with fairy wings" Gaia turned around to show off the charmed wings she had on her back "or it can be the ability to communicate with other fairies, their need for admiration, and/or their vanity." Gaia turned to the blackboard where parchment had shown up with basic known information about fairies.

"Fairies protect themselves from the Auguey which is an Irish type of Phoenix. The eggs are eaten by Bowtruckles. These are the main hunters of fairies. They are also used by witches and wizards to decorate, which fairies appreciate since it is directly connected with their beauty. Their wings are used in some potions which doesn't kill the fairies, but it greatly annoys them... again because of their vanity."

"Any questions so far?"

"They are pretty fun, if not a little weird." Then the conversation went to griffins and his heart started beating hard again. Why did he have to be scared of them? heck for that matter, why WAS he scared of them?

Gaia started her presentation on faeries, which was cool. He would much rather be half faerie than a werewolf any day.

Fade grinned at . “They can be. It rained all of the first day, but the ones after that were perfectly boiling.” Turning his attention to the front of the room as glittery sparkly goodness began raining down around them, Fade stashed the bottles of salve he had been using away in his front pocket, and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment and a quill. Smoothing the paper on his desk he licked the end of the quill, and began making sloppy sketches of the spell woven fairies as they buzzed about. Off to the side of his sketches he took a handful of even sloppier notes. Really what he was most impressed about were not the fairie facts, but the magical spell the two girls had crafted in order to create such a colorful presentation. Before anyone could catch a glimpse of his sketch he stuffed the parchment and quill back into his pocket and sat back in his seat.

Chase had found the fairies to be rather enticing and so leapt from Fade's shoulder and began stalking whatever sparkling creature flew closest to him.