Magnus could tell Fable liked her hamster picture and that make him relax so much that he was back to his normal self. Though the badge stayed in his pocket. Then Eirik was in front of him. "No worries, glad you like it. You 'ave a kitty? I 'ave one too. 'Er name is Kippers." He offered Magnus a slice of cake and the boy smiled. "Cheers," he said brightly. "I dont think I've ever 'ad this before." He gave it a sniff and could identify most of the familiar scents. He nibbled a small piece. "Mmm, it is good. Deserts are new to me really," he said a little shyly.

( and everyone else lol )

Eirik smiled as Magnus accepted his cake. "Desserts are new to you...? Are you one of those kids that was raised to eat fruit for dessert and not sweets..?" he asked curiously.

"Kippers, thats cute," he said, smiling." Is it because it likes kippers..? My cats are named Kiki and Murdock, Murdy for short. A mostly ragdoll mix, and a himalayan. Sweet little things, I adore them...and all felines, actually. It's probably because of how much that I hate how animals are treated that I have been so...ah, sorry. Politics. My Council has been in a passionate discussion over the plight of the non-human wizarding folk, and what we can do to improve their lives." He waved his hand dismissively. "Sorry, it's hard to change a train of thought when you have been riding it steadily, " he said with a small laugh.

"No, I lived in an orphanage till I was almost nine. Its a luxury we didn't 'ave often--mostly birthday or 'olidays." He nodded, "yeah she nicked me kippers the day I got 'er so, decided to name 'er that." He caught that. "You're not human?" he asked. "I'm not fully 'uman anymore meself. I'm a werewolf. Was attacked and that's why I left the orphanage. The auror who saved me took me to St Mungos and they didn't know whatelse to do with me so, lived there for a year. Not everyone liked me either, just cos I 'appen to turn into a werewolf 3 nights a month."

Eirik sat down next to Magnus. " You are a werewolf...?' he asked quietly. " By the Gods, you are so young though. That must have been horrible for you." He genuinely looked sympathetic. "Your story is the epitome of why we are trying to make things better for people like us." He looked down. " I was attacked late last Summer by a group of vampires that were pissed at my Father. He was an auror. Anyway, they killed him, and I was fatally wounded trying to fight them, and one of them took pity on me and turned me. So, I get it. I didn't think I would ever see the sun again, or be able to attend school, any of it, but here I am." He looked back up and gave a small smile.

"I would love to have the chance to discuss some of the positions we are talking about with you sometime, since you...being one of the types we have been discussing, could have some insight that we do not, and can only guess about."

Fable was watching the boys keeping a ear turned to the conversation. With food in her tummy, a comfortable beanbag bed and a hamster on her tummy Fable fell into a sugar coma (sleep). She began to snore quietly.

"I almost died," Magnus said quietly. "If Paul, the auror that saved me, had gotten to me much later I wouldn't've made it. 'E was tracking the werewolf you see. The bloke was suspected of purposely transforming near people so 'e could kill or turn them. Paul got mauled himself two days later, in the day time. His scars never 'ealed well but he got the guy. Man's dead now, got the dementor's kiss." He listened to the familiar story and frown. "I'm sorry about your dad, and your loss too. Its 'ard and it is lonely sometimes too. But we are both alive. I am learning to remember that when i get angry. It don't always work too good mind you. But I'm tryin'. Um okay... though I 'ain't too political really, but I'll try. Btw, I would love ta meet your kitties, they sound cute. Also, I've always thought vampires are really freaking cool."

He looked over at asleep from her cake with a drawing on her and smiled.

( no fable because you are asleep lol)

Eirik listened to Magnus's tale, and wondered just how many people's lives that werewolf was responsible for destroying. It steeled his resolve more than ever that something had to be done to stop this kind of horror from happening again.

"Its a terrible thing that happened, to both of us, and yes...it does get lonely. Well, technically," Eirik laughed, " I'm dead, but I still exist corporeally. Thank you for your condolences. " He looked thoughtful for a moment. "As far as being political, sometimes it's more just that...someone needs to step up and do what's right by people. But, I understand, not everyone wants to be in the spotlight.

But I am sure we can get together, perhaps in an unused room, and talk...and you can meet my cats, of course, " he said with a smile. "I would like to bring Kyros along, and Fable...perhaps Merlin. We are all quite passionate about this issue, and have different viewpoints, so we could, together, come up with more things to discuss than any one of us alone. Unless you would feel uncomfortable talking about this with so many people....?"

"Spotlight's never really bothered me," he said with a half smile. "And I agree ya need to do the right thing, to bring about change. I wish there weren't a need for it, but of course I'd do me part. I mean I'm out 'ere, everyone knows I am a werewolf. In fact, I did a club meeting and let 'em watch me shift without me wolfsbane potion. Mind you neither me dad nor Paul will let that one 'appen again. And, cos I didn't say, I was adopted near abouts me 10th birthday--rather ironically close to the date I was attacked actually. The Lees came and visited a relation of theirs, saw me and filed the paperwork. Paul is Dad's best mate, so 'e and 'is family are also part of mine. There are lots of good people out there too, ya know?" He considered the offer and nodded, "No, I don't mind people. What overwhelmed me a bit ago--its... well see both me adopted parents were Ravenclaw prefects. I've never really toed the line, walk to me own drum beat. And well, i don't wanna disappoint them, but at the same time, it feels... I don't know... its more pressure I guess. They've only 'ad me for a few years and I'm still learning to cope with parents, rules and werewolf..."

Kat arrived a bit late after having encountered Peeves on her way. She gave Magnus a smile and a wave when he looked her way, but her boyfriend seemed to be enjoying the company of others. She wasn't feeling very social, and her run-in with the poltergeist had her in a less-than-pleasant mood, so she stuck to the edges of the room. In the end she wound up near Eros, though she didn't sit too close, leaving a good arm's length and a bit more between them. Not wanting to sit on the cold grass, Katsumi had grabbed herself a chair and she leaned back with a sigh, idly wondering when they'd get to business.

Kyros awoke to Eirik nudging him to give him a piece of cake. The warmth of the fireplace, the comfortable beanbag, the warm tea, two books worth of magical creatures and their laws, four hours of sleep and a daily quota of nightmares had all done their part in making him fall asleep waiting for the class to start. He sat upright, brushing sleep away from his eyes, and murmured a low "Thank you" for his roommate before setting the cake next to his now cold tea. "Sorry. Didn't think I was this tired." He hoped he hadn't drolled or had a nightmare in front of everyone... "I need some coffee. Be right back."

After helping himself to a large cup of coffee and welcoming the caffeine to his system, he walked back to the group, appreciating the magical fish swimming around their location. "Very good. Both sketch and magic." He told Magnus, his voice still coarse from sleep. He'd usually join the conversation, but this time he chose to focus on his coffee in order to give enough conscious answers. Besides him, Fable fell asleep, and he adjusted the beanbag under her head so she would be more comfortable.

[i]So that's why Eirik became a vampire... And Magnus a werewolf..." He had enough caffeine in his bloodstrem to consider himself reasonably sane enough to reply. "Sorry for your losses. Both of you." The boy's voice was low - he didn't feel much comfortable to speak of such sad matters loudly. "If there's anything we can do to help, please say. I'm not supernatural, so my aid is probably limited, but I'll try my best." He gave them a weak smile.

"If you don't mind me asking... How does it feel like to be adopted, Magnus?"

Magnus saw his girlfriend arrive and wound up setting near Eros. He gave her a smile and a nodded. She didn't look in the best of moods, so he decided to let her have some space, but he would make his way over to her and when he felt the time was right. Kyros was now speaking to him. "Thanks," he said with a half smile. "One of the first spells I learnt. When I'm really upset I draw a lot of fish and animate an aquarium. Both watching and drawing 'em is pretty relaxing." Magnus nodded, not sure how to reply at first. "Thanks, kind of you to offer. Likewise, I am 'appy to 'elp where I can." He paused. What was adoption like? "Well," he replied slowly, "kinda confusing. On the one 'and I 'ave parents now. But its weird. I mean I spent nearly ten years without 'em. I went wherever I wanted, did what I wanted and 'ad a big family at the orphanage. The other kids were loud and I'd sneak off for time to meself, but they were basically me brofers and sisters. There's no more din like that anymore except 'ere at 'Ogwarts. Me parents are lovely people. But now 'aving rules suddenly, expectations and stuff... its not been easy. I mean there were rules at the orphanage, but I didn't always follow them. Even at St. Mungos I was basically left on me own. The last two and 'alf years 'ave been tough sometimes adjusting. With the werewolf attack, I lost everything I ever knew and 'ad to cope with isolation, major quiet and patients not wantin' me around. Then adopted near me tenth birthday, I 'ad to learn get used to a big 'ouse that was still quiet and with people who were now me parents but also strangers. And I 'ave rules and council from 'em and its still difficult."

Outfit Not Found Fade pushed the tent flap open and quickly stepped inside. It was warm and inviting and about ten thousand times nicer than the frigid chill outside. Shaking off the shivers he rubbed the cat scratches on the back of his neck and scanned the room. There were a number of students already gathered and lots of them he hadn’t met yet.

Chewing the inside of his lip he wondered what workshop planning actually meant, when appeared out of nowhere and almost gave him a heart attack. “Ah! I mean, HI.” He swallowed his heart back into his chest and grinned sheepishly. After the brief pointed tour of the tent Fade happily wandered over to the art supplies and started poking around to see what he could find. He wrinkled his nose at the charcoal sticks, but was pleased to see an assortment of colored pencils, ink wells with feathers, and even a few paint brushes lurking in the back.

(and anyone else listening to our conversation :) ))

Eirik listened to Magnus, glad that he was willing to do his part to help with the plight of their people, and glad that he would be willing to talk to his Council. He had been concerned that the boy would be apprehensive to discuss his condition in front of others, but he had shifted without a potion in front of others...??

"You were so brave to allow others to see you in the full throes of an unpotioned shift," Eirik said. "I don't think I would want anyone to see me if I went into a blood frenzy. I have so many questions...I will make a list of them to ask you later when we have our gathering," he said with a smile.

"That is a lot for you to adjust to, and I could see that you would feel like you...don't want to disappoint anyone because of your position. But, you know what..? I think part of being a responsible role model is confidence in yourself, not worrying so much about what others might think of you, or comparing yourself to them. Just doing the right thing, learning from others examples...I think you will be fine," he said sincerely.

He sat back up, and heard another person come into the tent. From Magnus's expression, he knew the person.

He listened to Magnus talk about his adopted family, and what life was like in an orphanage. He couldn't imagine living in a scenario like that, it had always been just the three of them at home, and both his parents were gone more often than not even before he went off to school.

"Your family sounds like very special people, " Eirik said with a smile. "I haven't had too many problems with rules, my Father was very strict, as were my teachers at Durmstrang." He leaned forward and said quietly to Magnus "I am sure you know all about being extra sneaky about rule breaking anyway," he said with a small smile. "He looked at Kyros and chuckled. " I am sure we all do."

Eirik looked up this time when the tent flap opened, and saw a blue haired boy enter. 'Hmm, ' he thought, 'blue hair is quite in this term, I see.'

"Well, Magnus..I should be getting back to," he turned to see Fable sleeping," my group...I'm sure this workshop will be starting soon and we should all be awake for it. How would I get in touch with you for this upcoming meeting...owl..? I am sure your House wouldn't appreciate you getting sneaky notes to run off and consort with Slytherins, " he said with a chuckle.

Outfit Not Found

Elizabeth knew she was really late. She hadn't been sure what to wear as it would possibly be cold on the Hogwarts grounds and finally, she had decided for the clothes she to in consideration first. Entering she blue tent, she noticed a number of students being there already, but no workshop currently going on. Perfect, I still made it on time, she thought to herself. "Hello", she said and looked around one. She remembered some of the faces from the Holiday Hogsmeade visit, but not well enough. She took a cup of tea from a table. Relieved, the girl spotted her fellow housemates and decided to join them, winding through the small spaces between the beanbags and chairs, taking a set next to them. "How is it going? Anything interesting going on?", she asked curiously and then her gaze stopped at the boy she didn't know(). Eirik had been talking to him, so she supposed he must be alright.

Magnus saw Fade enter and waved to his friend. Smiling at the other boy made a beeline for the art supplies.

He shrugged to Eirik's comment. Why was it everyone thought that was so brave? He'd heard the comment before but still he hadn't really understood it. He listened to the older boy's comment further and nodded. He was probably right, though it was a learning curve he supposed. "I 'ope so," he said. "What was Durmstrang like? Did you not wanna go back?" The boy flashed another grin. He did have some sneaky trouble-making ideas. He nodded to the other boy. "Slytherins are okay in me book. But if you'd rather, an owl is fine... or you could pass a note along to me in my dinner. Steak and kidney pie Ala parchment paper is a known delicacy." His eyes danced with mischievous laughter. He nodded to the Slytherin girl and said "'Ello."

( <--you might wake up lol )

Eirk looked thoughtful. "Durmstrang was like...I think the difference between being a human and being a vampire. It was cold, and dark, and people kept to themselves a lot. Because of some of the ...curriculum...there was a sense of..power, that was only just getting tapped into, but you could feel how strong, and dangerous, the pull of it was. People there seemed hungry for knowledge, and that power." he shook his head, remembering.

"For me, it wasn't an option. Once I was made, my maker moved me from my home to his in the UK. I didn't think I would ever be going back, so when I got the invitarion to attend here, I jumped at it."

He laughed. " I suppose I could just walk by your table at meal time and nonchalantly drop a note by your plate as I go. Like THAT wouldn't cause controversy. By the way, what House are you from..? I didn't know this was a casual affair, or I would have dressed...more comfortably."

Eirik looked up again as the tent flap opened, and was happy to see Miss Covington coming in. When she came over to join the group, he smiled. "Hello Miss Elizabeth, it's wonderful to see you. We weren't sure you would be attending. Things are going very well. I would like you to meet Magnus. Magnus, this is Miss Elizabeth Covington. He's a prefect, and, " he said more quietly, " he is also a werewolf."

"Magnus has been so kind as to make himself available for the Council to speak with, isn't that wonderful...? I am certain he will provide some firsthand insight into our cause."

"Do you think you would be so kind as to wake up Fable...? I think the workshop is going to be starting soon."

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/2KveKVe.png[/img] Eros wasn't sure, but Eirek seemed to have taken offense to the former's dismissive reply. He was only assuming on the change in the other Slytherin's voice, having gone from friendly to cold. Eros disregarded it, though, since he didn't really care. He could have easily resolved it with an apology and stating that it was nothing personal, but instead, the sixteen year chose not to do anything about it. It really made no difference to Eros. His eyes fell back to his pen as he twirled it between his finger.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw that another student had taken a seat not far from him. He looked in her direction briefly, but turned away after confirming she wasn't there to try and socialize with him. There was an adequate amount of space between them, so Eros didn't really seem to mind. His eyes stared down at his notepad, as he began jotting down a few notes for himself.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/1uNQkS8.png[/img]"Fade! Stop touching!" Gaia hissed and giggled "Those are for later. I will come find you once I am sure everyone is inside. Save me a beanbag!" ()

He didn't like the idea of that school at all. "Doesn't sound very nice if that's okay to say. Does...he like own you?" Magnus asked. He wasn't sure how that kind of thing worked after all. "Oh, I'm in Ravenclaw. Don't think anyone will really care, they are used to me being...odd and probly assume I'm planning a prank or something."

Eirik introduced him to the Slytherin girl and Magnus was a bit surprised that he added the boy was a werewolf. It didn't bother him but it still surprised him. He was just starting to wonder what he got himself into. Just how big was this council he wondered.

The Nut Lady started talking and Mangus nodded to the others and said quietly "I'm gonna sit with my girlfriend. Talk to you later okay?" Sketchbook in hand, he slipped over to sit with Kat but kept his distance from Eros.