Randwoth was listening to the young Gryffindor plead as he was struggling to put words together, too busy catching breath and recovering from his collision. The young student was one Randwoth recognizes very well, but then students never leave the planes of his memories.

"Doing unnecessary rounds around the premises again are we, James?" Randwoth held his serious face, squinting behind his sagging glasses. He adjusted it then broke into a chuckle as he patted James. "Off you go, you will want to attend Hagrid's class today."

Randwoth walled away, he headed over to professor Draven's quarters as he strolled about the corridors and halls, smiling back at the greetings of nervous students and unaccounted staff. It was unusual for the headmaster to approach his deputy instead of the opposite, it was also unusual for the headmaster to stroll throughout the castle in the morning. But Randwoth was nothing usual, and nothing orthodox was about his means.

As he slowly strolled with both hands behind his back, he sang with stressed accented 'r's:

" There once was three kings then two,
And over the throne a plot they brew,
ravens were killed and a mortal Hambrew.."

The Great Hall – Slytherin Table
Anthony Stuart

Anthony allowed himself a small smile. Beneath the table, the fist he had been clenching – out of frustration for having to talk to David – began to relax. He knew it was a weakness, so obviously sated by having his ego stroked, but by Merlin was he pleased that someone had heard of his achievements. Puffed up like a proud peacock, he said, “Thanks.”

Maybe this new acquaintance of his wouldn't be so bad after all.

Even so, Anthony stilled very, very quickly as the 'old days' were mentioned. What was it that his own father had said? Even if they seem like an ally, if they talk about our side they may well be a spy. David could be looking for a confession, information to send his dad to Azkaban in a cell right next to his mother.

But the war had been over for years, and he didn't feel like getting up and walking away from David to end the conversation – that would be downright rude. Anthony had to hope for the best. “It's certainly possible,” he eventually managed, scraping his plate with his fork. “He would have probably known my mother more. She was more... enthusiastic and involved in her work than my dad was at the time.”

Draven was awake before his alarm went off at six o’clock and was already dressed in his black robes with his nose buried in a book. When his alarm went off, he decided to go talk to Professor Gurgenheim. He got up from the armchair he had been sitting in, set his book down on the table next to it, and stretched his arms toward the ceiling with a yawn. He left his quarters and flicked his wand at the door as he exited, magically locking it to prevent anyone but him from gaining access.

Stowing his wand back in his robe pocket, Draven made his way down the hall in the general direction of the Headmaster’s office. His thoughts drifted to the lesson he and the Headmaster were going to attend today to observe Hagrid, who of course had no clue the Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster were attending. He apparently had some sort of new animal to show off to the students and therefore made it an open lesson to students of any year to come by and watch. It was a good idea, as it would give the First and Second Years a chance to see if they would be interested in taking the class when they got to Third Year.

As he walked, Draven noticed a few students already out of bed and wandering toward the Great Hall for an early breakfast. He rounded a corner and noticed a female student with her nose in a book and wandering blindly down the hall in his direction. As she neared, Draven gave a fake cough to gain her attention. He recognized her from his own House: Ravenclaw. If he recalled correctly, her name was Jordan Latner-Mason and she was in her Seventh Year.

“Good morning, Miss Latner-Mason.”

David noticed that for a second Anthony changed a little. He became quiet. Was he right? Then, hearing that his mother was much more active within her job he saw the confirmation that he needed. It were the same Stuarts. Under all his clothes and robes, a small shudder travelled down David’s back. His father never told what has happened to the Stuarts. One part of him always hoped that they were send to Azkaban. All of them. But now that he knew they had a son. His thoughts changed. His father always regretted the very day he became aligned with Voldemort and saw salvation in both his wife and son. Maybe the same happened to the Stuarts?

Still, he preferred to stay cautious. “So, how are your parents doing? Did they get rewarded for their hard work?” It was an edgy question that could easily be taken offensive. But it also offered a double edged answer. Were they punished by the Wizengamot? This would mean that they got what they more or less deserved. But he answered somewhat excitingly it might mean that they aligned themselves a second time with Voldemort and were rewarded for their loyalty. Or so David was thinking. He did regret the question a little though. He didn’t want to come over rude. He just didn’t want to be friends with people who helped Voldemort.

Anthony Stuart

Anthony stared at David for a good moment, picking apart the question in his head and frowning. It was too ambiguous. Far, far too ambiguous for him to not be instantly offended. Sure enough, he felt himself bristling – a bit like an angry cat – as he carefully ran over the words once more in his head.

Did they get rewarded for their hard work? 'They were indeed,' is what he wanted to say. 'My mother killed during the war, and worse, and her prize at the end was a four-walled cage and annual visits from her son. And my father? All he did was support the cause with money, and suddenly his very livelihood is threatened. It seemed like the best of my family's options at the time, so yes, we were rewarded for sticking it through.' To do that though, he would have to be a Gryffindor with a particularly loose tongue.

More than that, Anthony wanted to curse him, but some things just weren't done in polite company.

Instead, he merely muttered, "My mother was justly rewarded." No longer having an appetite with what had looked to become a bright point in his day turning sour, he simply excused himself with perfect etiquette, given the situation, and stormed out in the direction of where Hagrid's class would likely be held.

“So true,”[/b] Adelie nodded at Evanora’s assessment of her fellow quidditch teammate. She shrugged it off though. She was sure he’d be in class. If not, she was sure to give him a good scolding. Addy couldn’t hold it in when her friends missed class. Sure, she’d stopped correcting their grammar by 3rd year, but there was no good excuse in her mind to blow of courses. After all, one must prepare for exams right from the get go.

”Yeah I’ve nayver been on a cruise meself. But I don’ like anythin’ on tha water,” she said, visibly shuddered, mind recalling first year when she almost drowned. Since then, anything related to water, beyond showering of course, had her freaked out. In DADA one year she’d even discovered her bogart was a wall of dark water rushing towards her. Needless to say, she’d turned it into a water balloon that splashed her, but it was terrifying nonetheless.

She noticed Evanora go a bit quiet when she mentioned Christmas, so Adelie hesitated before smiling brightly. ”Well, I ‘ope yer ‘ere. Then we can cause a wee bit a mischief fer our last year,” she said, eyes sparkling. Though she was serious about studies, she had loosened up over the years at the school and enjoyed breaking a rule now and again. Although, her idea of mischief might be more like sneaking into the restricted section of the library than streaking across the quidditch pitch or something.

She finished her bagel and stretched, pulled out her robes from her bag and pulling them over her current attire. ”Ugh these robes…” she mumbled, brushing her hair away from the staticy material before standing. ”What do ya ‘ave first class?” she asked her friend, hoping they had a similar schedule.

Gryffindor Tower – 7th Year Boys Dorm
James MacFusty

Jimmy had all but dived through the portrait's secret entrance, embarrassment in front of the Professor be damned. The spiral staircase was rickety with gaps between each step and an ominous creaking noise that sounded with even the slightest bit of pressure; however, he figured if it had lasted so many centuries already, it was going to be fine.

Though he suspected there were more individual steps than the Grand Staircase, at least these ones didn't move.

At the top, he barged into the common room just as his roommates were leaving, prompting a few startled laughs. He didn't have to waste breath on the password that way. As soon as he was at his bed, he dumped his sweaty Quiddich gear on top of all his books and parchment and quills scattered over the relatively clean bedspread. He'd clean it later, or hope the house elves would do it for him.

The very moment a tempus charm left his lips, he knew he was doomed. He'd never be able to have a shower before breakfast, not without being late to his first class, and Adelie would have a fit if he did that again. Even though he was a slob – as his half-buttoned shirt and loose tie proved – he didn't want to stink of exercise all day...

“What was that spell again..?” he asked himself, waving his wand haphazardly in an attempt to mimic his ma's casting at home. An air-freshening charm that worked on a couch would surely work on a human, right?

The answer, as it turned out, was 'sort of'. Jimmy began a hurried walk down to the Great Hall smelling distinctly (and strongly) of roses.

David didn’t act surprised when Anthony barged off after he told his mom was justly rewarded. The murmur. The way he used the word ‘justly’. He wasn’t sure of course. But Anthony looked distressed enough. Maybe she was sentenced just like his father was. That would certainly explain the fact that Anthony stormed out on him. He kept eating his bagel, over thinking the very short conversation. Eventually he settled on sending a letter to his father asking what happened to the Stuarts. In the mean time he’d try to stay on friendly ground with Anthony. Though he knew that would be rather difficult now, as he assumed that Anthony had taken the question for an insult.

After the self-reflection on the subject he finished his bagel and looked around. He noticed a few Gryffindor girls at their table, finishing their breakfast. He though he recognized one of them from Quidditch, but he wasn’t sure. Eventually he picked up his bag and began his walk towards Hagrid’s Hut and the mixed lesson.

At the head table, Dignatia absentmindedly moved her food around her plate struggling to wake up. Avis Verdis, her pet conure, sat on her shoulder, preening her hair and making happy chirping noises. Dignatia stopped moving her food every now and again to give Dis a small piece of French toast, or to take a bite herself. The first month of the year was going fairly well, although there were the usual tensions between students, there had yet to be any explosions. She had high hopes for some of her students, within her house and otherwise.

She considered getting up when she noticed Mr. Fletchers' somewhat sloppy appearance, but before she could do more that think of ways to tactfully suggest that his appearance was a reflection on his house, Mr. Stuart apparently said something to him about it, as Fletchers got up and left. When he returned, he was appropriately dressed, although not a great deal tidier.

She watched the conversation between the two boys, although she made certain not to stare. She was hopeful that perhaps Fletchers might befriend Stuart. It would be beneficial to both boys. Fletchers would get a bit more used to wizarding manners and standards of appearance, and Stuart would hear about muggles in a more positive light then the nonsense he was potentially getting at home, as well as being a bit less isolated.

When Stuart stormed off she winced, and asked Dis "Do you suppose we should go see what Mr. Fletchers said to upset him?" When Dis eagerly bobbed her head up and down, Dignatia nodded. "You're right, as Head of House I have a duty prevent quarrels from getting to far out of control. " Having successfully justified her curiosity, she waited a few moments, before getting up and heading after Mr. Stuart.

James MacFusty

Jimmy sauntered into the hall, oozing confidence and the smell of roses from his pores. The malfunction of the charm had begun to tickle his nose and clog up his throat with the cloying scent of the flowers. At some point on his trip down the stairs he had definitely started to regret being a wizard, and more than that breaking the first rule his parents had taught him: never, ever, ever cast a spell that you don't know.

And there were the Gryffindor girls! Adelie at the table – she'd probably laugh at him being caught by the Headmaster after his ritual morning flight. In all the time he'd at Hogwarts and used that particular secret staircase, he'd never had the misfortune of encountering Professor Gurgenhiem.

Wait, she was standing already? Did he miss breakfast?

Without so much as a hello, Jimmy warned Adelie to, “Wait, wait...” as he ran towards the Gryffindor's table, grabbing an apple – two, after a moment's hesitation – and returned to Adelie and Evanora.

“Mornin',” he greeted in between bites of apple.

Slytherin Girls Dorm-6:40 am

Stretching out underneath her sheets rubbing the sleep out of her eyes Esme sat up. Looking around at the other beds she saw all the other girls beds were empty 'last again' she thought to herself. Stepping out of bed she grabbed her robes out of her wardrobe and she quickly changed into them. Looking at her reflection in the mirror her hair was flat quickly running her hands though her hair she made it scruffy and messy just the way she liked it. Quickly brushed her teeth before rushing out so she could get breakfast.

Great Hall

Quickly making her way over to the Slytherin table she grabbed two slices of eggy bread and stuffed streaky bacon in between them. She then proceeded to wolf the sandwich down not wanting to be late for Hagrid's special lecture. What could his new pet be the excitement was almost killing her. Looking around she didn't see anyone in particular she wanted to speak to but that wasn't surprising since her social circle was very small. 'Maybe I should try making some new friends' thinking to herself she sighed.

At that point she smelt the overwhelming smell of roses enter the room. Looking around she tried to locate the smell but she couldn't find it. Then a Gryffindor boy walked past her and she could tell it was coming from him. In fact she recognised him he was James MacFusty, he was part of the Gryffindor Quiddict team. She couldn't hold back her laughter as it just burst out of her. A few moments later she managed to stifle her laughter and compose herself. She had to know who did this to him and what spell was used so she could us it in one of her pranks and find out who pranked him as no one was stupid enough to do something like this to themselves. She walked over to the Gryffindor stood behind a lightly tapped him on the shoulder "excuse me could you tell me why you smell like roses" she asked giving him her most friendly smile.

Jordan Mason

Near the end of the third chapter of her book, Jordan heard a cough followed by her name. It gave her pause and she looked up from the words that had kept her attention, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the head of the Ravenclaw house. She closed her book and fixed her glasses, a clear indication of her nerves. Despite being in her final year at Hogwarts, Jordan was still highly insecure of her status, especially since Draven used her old surname. Dammit, the pang of loss still stung, but she pushed it down and offered him a shaky smile. "Good morning, sir, but it's only Mason now. The Latner family would have me hunted down if I continued using their name."

She looked around for the first time since she'd opened the book and saw that more students were milling around, talking animatedly with their friends as they hurried to their destinations. Jordan would wager that they were headed to the Great Hall to grab a bite to eat. She herself was headed there despite not being hungry at all, but now that she thought about it, perhaps the Great Hall wouldn't be the best place for some reading. She wouldn't be able to focus with all the ruckus of the different houses combined. Maybe she would see Hagrid to hang out at his hut and sneak a preview of the creature he would be showing later.

With that in mind, Jordan turned her attention back to Draven. "Are you heading to the Great Hall, sir?" she inquired, looking around the place. "Or the Headmaster's office?" That made her halt her train of thought. What in Merlin's name was she doing in the hallway to the Headmaster's office?

Elizabeth Fontaine

Beth listened to her friend's answer and chuckled. "An aging spell? You're so weird," she teased, a light smile on her lips. She supposed that characteristic was one of rhe few that drew her close to Tessa. The girl was definitely interesting, and Beth was known to always be surrounded by interesting people. Even if the interesting people in her last school threw her under the metaphorical bus, they were still undeniably interesting people. Thankfully, her new friends at Hogwarts weren't like those at Beauxbaton. They were better, and they would never hurt her the way her old friends (if she could call them that) did. She could trust them, she was sure of that.

Beth took a large gulp of her pumpkin juice, before replying to Tessa. "Sounds great. I was planning on practicing as well." She looked around and noticed that there were a lot of students walking in the Great Hall. She saw some of the other house's Quidditch players and made up her mind. "Are you done? I think it'll be good to get some early morning practice while the other houses are still eating." She stood and straightened her robes, all the while tossing a bright smile towards her friend. "Then let's head over to Hagrid's when we're done. Up for it, cherie?"

Scott O'Riley - Great Hall

of Hagrids. He didn't know what was more exciting, listening to all the silly things that people believe it could be or actually getting to see what kind of magical animal Hagrid could possibly have that would build up all this hype. Ahh who are we kidding he wanted to see and examine the creature. Getting caught up while thinking about this creature he almost bumped into a Slytherin student leaving the Great Hall, he looked familiar. Right he was on their Quidditch team, what was him name again, Flint, Flynn, Fletchers, that was it. When he got into the Great Hall it was almost as hectic as he rest of the castle has been so far, so he strolled over to the Ravenclaw table and sat with one of the house prefects, who happened to be one of his closest friends. So he sat and grabbed a plate of bacon, ham, eggs, toast and a glass of water, which reminded him of home.

Adelie was waiting on Evanora’s answer when Jimmy walked into the Great Hall. Or was that a bouquet of roses? She crinkled her nose and looked confused by his overwhelming scent as he got closer. She opened her mouth to ask what was going on when he told her to wait. She looked a bit bewildered until he returned with two apples, eating them as he returned. After a cough and smirk Adelie said “Good mornin’,” shaking her head. ”An’ wut ‘ave ya done to yerself?” she said, a sparkle of knowing in her eyes. That someone had either done this to him, or he’d done it to himself. And she was betting it was the latter.

A girl with bright purple hair approached however, asking why Jimmy smelled like roses. Adelie raised an eyebrow, not recognizing the girl and doubting she was from their house. Resisting rolling her eyes, Adelie pulled out her wand and waved it, the buttons of James’ shirt buttoning together, and tie tightening almost too tight so at least he looked presentable.

Looking at the purple haired girl again, it dawned on Addy she was the keeper for Slytherin’s quidditch team. ”Maybe ya should worry less aboot why ‘e smells like roses an’ worry bout yer goal keepin’,” Adelie said slyly, crossing her arms. She really had no care for Slytherin students. Whatever reason the girl wanted to know about James, it wasn’t for just being friendly and curious. Addy wasn’t one for being mean, but she did like a good competitiveness.

Tessa Goffe

"Are you done?" Tessa nodded to Beth's question.

"Sounds like a plan." Tessa returned Beth's bright smile, stood and walked with Beth down to the pitch talking about their chances in the next match. "I think we'll have a reasonable chance, as long as we make sure we are at least two goals ahead, and we actually catch the snitch this time. Unlike last year." Tessa took her broom out of her locker and hung her bag on the hook within the locker. Her eyes were lit up with the joy that showed up when Tessa talked about something that made her weirdly excited, or of course, when she got on a broom.

"Want to run through some simple moves since it is just us? Or laps? Without a Keeper... We can switch off who is playing keeper maybe?" Tessa listed off the potential things the pair of them could do before Hagrid's class started. "Oh! We could race to see who plays Keeper first." Tessa's grin grew at the prospect. She was bouncing slightly on her feet.

Elizabeth Fontaine

Beth opened her locker and grabbed her broom, all the while having a thoughtful look on her face. The Hufflepuff team had lost disastrously the previous year, and a small part of Beth blaimed herself for it. She'd been injured, forcing one of the less experienced Chasers take her position. "Yeah. We'll definitely win this year," she answered, a small bit of confidence coating her words. She had practiced almost every day during the break and made sure that she was in tip-top shape. She was one of the fastest in their team and she hoped to better herself soon. "But maybe it'd be wise to try and get a five goal lead this time, just to be safe." She let her broom rest in mid air as she put on her open fingered gloves and placed her bag inside her locker. She made a mental note to organize her locker the next time she had some free time.

Beth was just about to answer her friend's question when another person entered. It was Jasper, a seventh year and the current Seeker of their team. He was the fastest amongst them, and Beth knew that they could count on him to bring their house the victory this year. She offered him a friendly greeting, and as Jasper was about to offer his own, another figure approached them. Chuckling, Beth turned to Tessa. "Well we seem to have half the team here," she said, nodding towards their Keeper. "I'm still up for a race if you are."

She walked out to the field with her broom in hand. The sky was clear, a perfect day for flying. She hopped on her broom and kicked off, loving the feeling of the wind against her cheeks as she soared up. This kind of rush was something no ordinary muggle could experience, and Beth thanked Merlin that she was given the chance. Hovering at a remarkable height, she looked down to see Jasper kick off as well. He tossed her the Quaffle. She caught it with an expert hand and tucked it in her arm as she waited for Tessa.

James MacFusty

Jimmy knew there was one thing he couldn't ever manage to do and that was to somehow get Adelie to stop mothering him. As a result, he simply sighed as she did some fancy charm work, buttoning up his shirt for him (it was fine as it was!) and moving his tie up–

Oh, Merlin, too tight! He thought as tugged on the knot just a little, wiping off a chunk of apple that escaped from his mouth during his near-strangulation with the back of his hand.

Turning around to see the purple-haired Slytherin keeper that he was so totally better than, thank you very much, he grinned. Just as Adelie started off with a mildly offensive comment in her dislike of the Snakes (that Jimmy could never fully understand), he replied to both of them, “I did an air freshnin' charm for a couch or curtains. They aren't meant for you to use them on yerself, but... needs must, I s'pose.”

With a moment's hesitation, he winked at the Slytherin whose name he forgot – if only in an attempt to rile Adelie up by playing nice with their sworn enemies – and returned to munching on his second apple.

Headmaster, Professor Randwoth Gurgenheim.

Randwoth strolled for a while. Humming songs and melodies of old muggles culture, sang some Merlin-era poems. He finally stopped when he approached his Deputy, Professor Draven; and one of the bright students whom he admired, Jordan Mason. She was a distinctable Ravenclaw.

"Morning Professor," he smiled at the defense against the dark arts professor. Then he held Jordan's arms and gently squeezed them, "Morning Miss Mason, you look well dear." He smiled and let go of her arm.

Randwoth then slightly turned to his deputy, "We are to visit the keeper of the keys (Hagrid) on his free lecture in a while, it will be a surprise visit mind you." He chuckled, then turned again to Jordan, "Dear you must have to be heading somewhere, anything you need before we leave?"

Tessa Goffe

"I"m always up for a race!" Tessa took to the air. Her stomach flipping with the first rush of adrenaline. If Tessa had had a chance she would have been a mountain climber, or a tight rope walker. She loved the rush of adrenaline as it hit her system. Beth held the Quaffle, and the tightening in Tessa's gut lessened. She grinned at her teammates. "One end of the field and back." She pointed to the farther post and then back to the closer post. "Keep tossing the Quaffle back and forth." This was more than just a test of speed, which Tessa knew Beth could easily beat her at, it was a test of coordination and cooperation. "Whichever of us has the Quaffle makes a shot." She nodded to their Keeper who had taken their accustomed place at the goal.

Tessa lined up with Beth at the goal post. "Jasper! You call go!" Jasper waited for the girls to be ready, Beth still holding the Quaffle.

"Ready! Set! Go!" Tessa raced forward, keeping in line with Beth waiting for the Quaffle to be tossed to her.