"Oh," Drew said, his hand stilling on Dodger's head as Marcia () said that she'd never had pets. Being the animal lover he was, he couldn't imagine never having an animal friend. Then he grinned and said, "Well if you're ever in the mood for a doggy kiss, let Dodger know. He's a gentleman though and only kisses with permission."

Drew chuckled when Elizabeth () praised Dodger. "Thank you, Elizabeth. I've tried, but he has lapses at times, especially if we're outside exploring. As for the horses, maybe I could arrange for you to visit us sometime and introduce you to our horses. We have a couple that are smaller...not ponies mind you, but more dainty and smaller stature. You might like those."

Looking around at the others, Drew asked, "What classes are you all most looking forward too this term?" He was pretty sure everyone who remotely knew him could guess one of his would be Magical Creatures, but he was curious where the other Slytherins interests lay.

"Ah, it's no bother to not have pets," Marcia smiled. "I suppose it might be fun, but I keep myself busy enough! It must take quite a bit of effort to train a pet, yes?" () ((ooc: Thanks! It's always hard to match skirts with tops for me too, which is why I usually just wear leggings or shorts. lol I couldn't resist the sweater when it was released though!))

Marcia quieted at the change of subject. Talking about herself was not a strong suit of hers. She cleared her through, mulling over her break. "Hm, I suppose it was rather nice. My mother and I took a day trip to Paris, so it was nice to get to spend some time with her..." She trailed off pensively before becoming aware of her lapse in speech. "Anyway, how was yours?" () ((ooc: and thank you! I love yours as well!))

Marcia eyed the dog skeptically; out of all the animals in the room, dogs were the ones she had the least experience with. The hoity-toity people her parents kept as friends typically had horses, or peacocks and other exotic, unnecessarily fancy birds. She gave a small smile nonetheless and said jokingly, "Perhaps I'll get to know him first. I don't typically kiss strangers." ()

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"Training servals is harder than training cats generally, and training cats is harder than training dogs," Callista says, "but I like training animals. Training a familiar is a little different from training a regular pet, for that matter...but I guess your family doesn't keep familiars?" She smiles at Marcia. Is this really the first time they've ever talked after all of the years they've been in the same House?

"Paris is lovely. Did you and your mum visit any of the couturiers? I want to be a designer. I went to Israel for a week and visited Tif. Then Cousin Blaise took Fiammetta and me to Italy, and I had so much fun shopping at the fashion houses in Milan and Florence. But most of my favourite designers are in Japan..."

Callista turns to Drew. "Of course you know I'm looking forward to Care of Magical Creatures, we both love that class. If I didn't want to design clothes I'd spend all my time working with animals. And Potions is good."

Marcia nodded in understanding. "Well, some of my family has had pets in the past," She replied. "It's more of a personal choice of my parents rather than a tradition of not keeping animals."

"We visited some clothings shops, but nothing extraordinarily fancy," She continued. "My mother has to be rather well dressed, working at the Ministry and all, so she likes to visit higher-end shops when she has the time. As for myself, I don't care too much for fashion. I dress how I'd like." Marcia shrugged indifferently.

"Have you visited Japan, though?" She asked, curious. "I've always wanted to visit. They have such unique desserts there that I'd love to try."

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"I have!" Callista says, grinning. "Desserts? Which ones? My sister and I usually go in the summer, but we only spent a week there this year. That's actually where I buy a lot of my clothes, usually in Harajuku and Shibuya."

"Oh, you're so lucky," Marcia gushed, her personality clearly opening more. "I'm particularly interested in those fluffy cheesecakes they make there! I don't quite know how they do it yet, but it's fascinating. And I love dorayaki!"

"My father travels a lot for business and brings me back cook books from all the places he goes, but Japan is one place he has yet to go," Marcia smiled wistfully. "And I can see the inspiration in your clothing now that you mention it."

Elizabeth smiled at Callista's explanations. "Your mother shouldn't be worried. Some people bring pets to school which are quite dangerous or really exotic. Sabrina is, without any offense, a big cat. I think many people are going to like her.", she said.

"That sounds like a healthy dog.", Elizabeth replied amused to Drew. () "Don't get me wrong, I'd love to try horse riding and I want to thank you for the offer...but I'm not sure about the height, even if it's a smaller horse. I think I'd have to see one before I decide.", she added. After all, horse riding was a quite elegant hobby and this made her curious. It surprised her a bit that Marcia () was so quiet about herself, but she gave her time to answer. "That sounds lovely!", she said, "I hope you've had a great time there. I love the city's architecture." Carefully, she stroke over the dark leather of the armchair she was sitting in. "I spent some time at Ilvermorny for the celebrations before going back home. I was accompanied by Corvus for a while, before he had to leave for the states again.", Elizabeth explained, before smiling and going on, "he's my fiancé and was a triwizard champion for Ilvermorny." She couldn't help but taking a pride in Corvus for being a former triwizard champion.

(OOC sorry for not replying! :< Arkham, thanks ! c: love your team skull HA! ♥ )

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Callista grins at Marcia. "Most people are surprised to hear that my weekend dresses come from Japan, because of the European influence on the style. But you clearly know your stuff! You should come and have tea with me sometime. You know that if everyone in Slytherin weren't welcome, I wouldn't have it in the common room. I think I'm getting a matcha cheesecake this weekend from Fiammetta, though she actually buys them at a muggle shop in London. If you ever do decide you want to get into fashion, I'm good at fixing things up. I helped a couple of the Alexandrian girls who wore hijabs or traditional Israeli clothes fix up their formal dresses with sleeves and lace collars so their parents wouldn't have fits when they saw the pictures."

Then she grins at Elizabeth. "You know how mums are though! To be fair, she worries about Sabrina and not just me and the other students, but I'm good at taking care of animals. It's not my fault I lost my owl last year, she was really old, and mum knows I kept her going longer than most people could've, but she still frets."

((Ooc: thanks :3)) "Yes, the architecture does have a certain charm to it," Marcia agreed. "I'm a fan of their Provincial architecture... it's simpler, but still really classy and beautiful."

"That's wonderful" Marcia smiled. "He must be very talented to have won the cup!"

"I'm not much into fashion, but I do pick some things up from my mother and her friends," Marcia explained. "So I know more than I'd care to, but I'll admit it does come in handy when putting nicer outfits together." She laughed.

"And tea sounds lovely! As well as the cake," She smiled. "I would be grateful to join you."

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"Please do! It will be fun!" Callista grins.

Lenore walks into the Slytherin common room for the first time of the term and stops as the door closes behind her. The soft green hue from the lake visible through the windows is beautiful and the crackling fire gives the feeling of home. She closes her eyes and breathes in the familiar smells.

After a moment she looks around and takes in the living creatures of the room. She spots Merlin () and gives him a smile. Callista (), a girl from the proud Zabini family whom Lenore had grown up hearing the name of, was sitting with a larger-than-average kitten. This thing was gorgeous! It had spotted golden fur and legs much longer than the average cat.

There were a couple of girls that she recognized but didn't really know. One was a brunette holding a silver cat () and the other was black-haired and had rather striking green eyes (). Lenore gave them both a smile and pulling a handful of sweets from her bag, tossed one to each of them.

"Chocolate cauldrons, a great way to start the term. And my own personal addiction." she winked. Aiming carefully she tossed one to Merlin and another to Callista. Merlin's landed just fine but Lenore's aim wasn't particularly good and the one meant for Callista went off target, landing near the kitten and startling it.

"Sorry!" Lenore said quickly, glad that she at least hadn't hit the poor thing.

Drew () was sitting in his customary spot by the fire. Not wanting to demonstrate her lack of aim again, Lenore walked over and handed him a cauldron.

"Nice to see you again" she smiled and looked down at the dog. "I don't think I've met your friend yet." Lenore personally didn't like dogs but felt it would be better not to be rude. She gave it a small smile but didn't reach down to pet it. Instead she moved to where Elizabeth () was sitting and perched on the arm of the girl's chair. She handed the girl a cauldron over her shoulder and sighed. It was truly good to be back.

((OOC: I don't think I missed anyone. Not intentional if I did! Valiska, I actually have a Savannah cat. She's not full serval but very fun!))

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Sabrina, startled, pounces on the chocolate, and Callista sighs. "Oh, Sabrina, you're a very good huntress, yes, but that's not for you! I know you think everything is for cats, but chocolate is actually bad for you." She reaches into her purse and pulls out a piece of beef jerky, holding it under the cat's nose. Once she has the kitten's attention, she gives Sabrina the jerky and snatches the chocolate cauldron.

"It's okay, but might I have another, please?" Callista asks softly. "Her paws are pretty clean, but I'd rather not eat off them."

((OOC: Lucky! I want one. They're so cute and fun!))

"Ah, thank you!" Marcia grinned, thought slightly taken aback by the sudden movement. "These are my favorites as well, but chocolate of any sort has a nice way of taking the stress off honestly."

Somewhat eagerly, she took a bite into the cauldron and smirked contentedly.

Lenore chuckled slightly at the thought of cat germs. Unlike dogs, she actually liked cats and having one touch her chocolate sure as heck would't stop her from eating it. Still, she didn't mind sharing and tossed Callista () three more, using a quick charm to insure they landed safely this time.

"Especially when they're filled with fire whiskey." Lenore winked as she tossed another one to the dark-haired girl (). "I'm Lenore by the way."

She opened her bag again and removed a small pink teacup which she filled with coffee with a tap of her wand. She had convinced the house elves years ago too keep some hot in the kitchen at all times and often summoned it from there. Taking a sip she closed her eyes and leaned back against the leather of the chair.

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"Thanks!" Callista says, grinning. "And I hear you about the whiskey."

((OOC: I love cats too, but they walk through their litterboxes and get into all kinds of things. I generally do not therefore eat things they've been batting around!))

"It's too bad the cauldrons are the only way we can get some in..." Lenore took another sip of coffee and still leaning back, grinned without opening her eyes. "officially."

((OOC: I don't think my cats have ever batted around anything I've wanted to eat but now that you mention it, that would be a bit off-putting lol. Lenore isn't terribly picky about it. No insult to you meant by any means! I hope it didn't come off that way :) ))

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"Officially, of course." Callista winks and sips the liqueur from the cauldron, then eats it. "These are so good though. Thanks!"

((OOC: No worries!))

"Haha, yes the whiskey helps quite a bit," Marcia smirked, accepting the second chocolate. "I am Marcia. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"And there are many ways to do things unofficially," She continued, her voice sounding sly with a tinge of knowingness.

"Anytime. I always have some on me" Lenore notes the sly look on Marcia's face and finds it all too familiar. Really, one couldn't go five minutes in the Slytherin common room without that expression. It made Lenore chuckle.

"Honestly, I'm surprised we haven't had stricter security put on our house by now. We seem to have a knack for doing things...unofficially."

Smiling at Marcia's () statements of Paris and the different kinds of architecture, Elizabeth nodded. "Definitely. They look so regal and formal." She chuckled lightly. "Oh, mums can be quite challenging", she agreed upon Callista's() words, "I'm sorry for your owl, though. Are you planning to get a new one?"

Then, the small group was joined by Lenore() and Elizabeth looked up. "Thank you!", she said with a smile. She kind of admired Lenore, for being so classy and, well, older. She seemed very mature and was an inspiring example. Quietly, she unwrapped the cauldron and looked at the perfect chocolate surface before taking a first bite. She noticed the rich cocoa which she liked far more than milk chocolate. "Especially when Slytherin still has this sinister character", she added and grinned at the blonde girl's words, nodding in amusement. "Well, has anyone been checked when arriving at the castle? Just ask someone to send you some stuff to Hogsmeade's post office and collect it there. Though, it only works if you have someone who would willingly send you some drinks. And I know my mother would be not amused about this little cauldron cake filled with fire whiskey, let alone the liqueur itself. She thinks consume of alcohol leads to a bad reputation...which I kind of understand. I mean, I don't want anyone to think that way of me."

(OOC; about the cat-germs, I once had a friend were the cats walked over the breakfast table while the cheese, ham and other stuff was lying around. And I assure you, she was always carrying hand sanitizer around, but did nothing about the cats! It was so illogical....and kinda disturbing. :'D )