Nodding at the information about puffskein gender, Drew said, "Either way I think I'll get Bridget one."

When Tamsin sat down, Drew said quietly, "Maybe you need a balloon too, Tams. It's been an exhausting day for you. You could rest until we get back to the castle." Or until we need you, he added silently, hoping the rest of the time would be uneventful.

"That's me point Tams," Magnus said, "you did what you 'ad to do--what you thought was right at the time. You can't second guess your choices. If you do that, then it'll aunt you forever." He sighed, god he was re-giving Paul's recent speech. He sighed. "Look, not too long ago me folks pulled me from school cos I was depressed. One thing that keeps coming back to me when things go south is what if I were normal? What if I 'adn't've gone down that drainpipe and gone into the woods? What if I were never attacked? What if me birth parents 'ad never whatever 'appened to them?" The boy was deliberately staring at Tamsin. "You see ow those questions become torturing yourself? Paul said to me, then me mum and dad wouldn't 'ave me nor would Paul--that I might not become who I am now, that maybe I wouldn't even be at Hogwarts or even 'ere now--which means Paul wouldn't've been 'ear to ;'elp and maybe one of the student's would've died. It ripples just as much as it do in the negative thoughts. That's why time travel is so frowned on, cos you 'ave no idea what events will lead you to become who you are."

Tamsin quickly stood up. "No, no, no! I'm not going to turn into a balloon, I'm taking you all back to the castle and we will get a good meal, a shower, and a warm bed."

Merlin got close to her and asked. "You want me to take us all back? I think I can do it, there are just a few left."

"No Merlin, you stay in your human form. You have to report that animagus form of yours too, I don't think I've seen it before but...you will be put under the eye of the professors and the ministry...I'm sorry to say so."

Merlin sighs. "I know." But...he points his wand at her. "I can take you."

"Don't even try it, let's go. We are wasting time, my legs need a massage and you Merlin, you will do the honors."

"Why me?" He protested.

"Because you wanted to see those little fur balls. I bet you see them every day."

Merlin pouts. "They are still cute and I might get one."

[Edit] ((OOC: For Magnus post))

Tamsin listened to the young one and smiled. "Ahh, the young giving me lectures and they are so right. Thanks, it's just things have gone so wrong lately, it's like I've been cursed. I will try to stop thinking what if?"

"You really did save lives. You saved Arrow, and Spellz and Paul--which also means 'is wife and daughters." With a cheeky grin he punched her shoulder and said, "You did good, kid."

"Everyone's getting a ball of fur," Magnus said shaking his head.

"You're not cursed, Tams. That would be Merls...having to massage your legs," he said trying to lighten things, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"And we can each get one when we go into Hogsmeade, Merls," Drew added in reference to the puffskeins.

Tamsin begins to laugh really loud after that comment. "Kid, huh? You made me feel like one and YOU are the kid."

Merlin giggled but then whispered. "Don't make so much noise Tam, we don't want to wake the monsters."

[Edit] ((Seems like I always miss one post))

Merlin nods to Drew. "I want a purple one or green." Referring to the puffskein. "I'll call it Puffy! It's sooo original!" He laughs lightly. "I'm not cursed...I'll make sure to disappear before I have to do it."

"'Ey," he said chuckling, "nothing wrong with being a kid--even if you are an adult."

"I don't want one," Magnus said. "But you all can 'ave your bugger eating balls of fur. Mind you, I'm caging it if I visit for a sleep over."

((I know what you mean about always missing at least one...it's the curse of the wifi!))

Drew grinned at Magnus calling Tamsin a kid. "Look out everyone, Mags is channeling Paul."

He laughed at Merlin's name. "Oh, yes, Puffy is great. I can name mine...Fluffy!" He laughed again. "A green one would be cool...or blue....even though I did like that yellowish one just now too. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they have."

He rolled his eyes. "Get Tamsin one too so we can name it Muffy, or Buffy, or Cuffy or Duffy." Why did everyone seem to like animals he found absolutely boring? Then again none of those animals seemed to attack people or rampage or wreck anything like so many of the ones he seemed drawn too.

Tamsin smiles. "Everyone has a kid trapped inside, even as adults...they just don't like admitting it." She winks and smiles even more when she manages to see bits of the castle. "We are getting closer."

"Yes." Merlin reassured her. "Drew, Fluffy sounds just perfect and the yellow is very pretty, it's the original color. I just think purple fits me better." he looks at mag. "You are not caging my Puffy!" He giggles. "I hope Thunder is ok, I left him in my bedroom, was afraid he could get lost in the forest and finding a snake in the forest would be a nightmare."

"Well it ain't gonna be puttin' its tongue up me nose that's for damn sure." He looked at Tamsin. "'Ow long you reckon Paul'll be out?"

"I'm sure 'e's fine, snakes are smart."

Smiling at Tamsin, Drew nodded. He was glad to see the auror smiling and having some fun.

As Magnus rolled his eyes, Drew grinned and teased, "Don't worry, Mags, you will still be one of our top favorite furry things. We can start calling you Magsy so you can sort of fit in. And caging probably wouldn't work. I think I remember reading that they have really long tongues so they can get to you regardless."

Drew burst into laughter as Merlin declared Puffy would not be caged. then when the other boy mentioned his snake, he said, "I'm sure he's okay and will be glad to see you again. I'm glad I brought Dodger with me, but I think next time I'll leave him in my room just in case. I don't want anything happening to him."

Tamsin frowns. "I don't want to have one of those boring, good for nothing balls of hair. I'm not very fond of most animals, and the ones I do like are bigger. I love all kinds of horses, winged, with horns, or just common ones. I also like wolves, yes I like them and can't deny I am very drawn to dragons. Other than that...I don't care much, not that I don't like animals but I kinda prefer more interesting types, no offense boys."

"It's fine, I like any kind of creatures...cept I just suddenly have a dislike for bees." He giggles. "I will make sure Puffy eats your nose."

Tamsin looked up to Paul. "About an hour and a half maybe? He'll be fine, I've taken that potion a couple of times and after you wake up, you feel like new. It has a good side."

[Edit]

"Ohhh Magsy! I like the ring of it, here Magsy, here boy!" Merlin grins. "I would still prefer Magsy over Puffy, but don't tell Puffy once I get it." He looks at Drew. "I should have left Spellz too, I thought it would be fun for him since its the woods but looked what happened! I almost lost my baby."

"I'm good with a lotta nicknames but no to Magsy," he said with a bare hint of anger.

MAgnus smiled at the auror though. "I was afraid I was the only one... I mean the unciorns are okay, but they aren't really interesting. Now, dragons, acumatulas, you know--manticores...trolls--those, those are interesting."

"I thought 'e'd be out longer than that," Magnus said... "like weeks or months or we 'ave ta find a magic toad or something." he blushed.

"Oh, sorry Mags, I thought you asked how long he's been out." She laughs. "He will probably be out a day or two..the most three days. Since I healed his wounds he should be up in two days at most. If you are injured, it takes longer to recover. I guess it's the body asking for rest."

"I'm not fond of acromantulas to be honest, but manticores are cool. Just careful wit them."

"Horses of any kind and dogs and wolves are the best, I agree," Drew said. "But I like pretty much any animal other than insects and spiders." He shuddered. "I loved seeing the unicorns and thestrals. And the sight of the hippogriff was awesome! I wish I could see a griffin. And of course dragons are cool." He grinned over at Merlin.

Hearing Magnus' comment, Drew nodded. "we'll stick to just Mags then," he assured his friend. "I know how annoying some nicknames can be."

"Oh," he said for lack of anything else. He sighed and kicked the ground, causing dirt to swirl around him.

"Yeah, they ain't me favourite either. Sphinx is cool too."

"thanks. Sorry... I just... I don't like that one."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "I know names that are annoying and especially girly or elf boy. What is wrong with people?

Tamsin laughed. "Elf boy? I know why!"

"Stop it Tam!" Merlin frowns.

"Ahh but your ears are super cute."

"I will magic them into a smaller ones."

"You shouldn't, they suit you well..little dragon. Do you like that better?" Merlin nods.

"I'm a dragon after all." He grins and claps his hands softly.

"They probably call you girly cause you are so cute!" She pinches his cheeks. "But no worries, in a few years you'll be all manly."

"In a few years huh?" Merlin seem down. "Thanks for lifting up my spirit."

"Don't rush growing up kids, enjoy this time the fullest because when you grow up..you sometimes wish to go back to this time."

"Hey, Merls," Magnus said whispering, "me dad's got pointed ears too. 'E's part fae."

Drew shook his head and said, "Nothing to be sorry for, Mags. I was just teasing and wouldn't have really called you that, but I totally understand not liking it. And you've got a right to say you don't like it."

Hearing some of Merlin's less desirable nicknames, Drew said, "I can't stand my real name and the nicknames other than Drew for it. Andrew has people using Andy, Handy Andy, Andy Dandy...you get the idea," he made a face.

He smiled at Tamsin and said, "We'll try not to grow up too fast as long as you stick around to remind us and show us your kid side," he tried to bargain.