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[Alexander Sowerby]

Alexander checked his pocket watch for what he knew must have been an umpteenth time. Breakfast had just finished and most students were currently indoors.

He was waiting for Elisabet to come down from her Dormitory so that they could go for a stroll around the lake as they had agreed to yesterday. It was a nippy sort of Sunday, the snow was now gone but the grass was soggy from the melted snow. Not to mention a deep fog had descended upon the grounds, but it would still be nice to get out of the castle and stroll around, talking about whatever they could think of.

Wondering for a few moments about the mysterious disappearance of three female students he was sure were Meghan, Lisette and Adelaine behind a wall. Suddenly he heard a rush of feet from above and was certain that it would be Betta finally rushing down to meet up with him.

[Daniella Cruz]

Daniella clattered down the grand staircase, ignoring some of the scandalized looks older students were giving her. She was bored and she was tired of being cooped up in the castle! It was so muddy out though, she didn't mind the dirt itself, but what could you do in mud? It  made running slow, horses were hard to ride (if she could smuggle one out from under Ogren's nose to begin with), and unless she was going to have a mud fight (which she wasn't opposed to, the problem would be finding someone willing to get dirty with her) it might be a little pointless to go out. She was probably going to try anyway though. Maybe she would go down to the see if the Care of Magical Creatures teacher had anything interesting despite the fog.

When she hit the bottom she saw a boy she vaguely knew. He was a Slytherin like her, from a good family. To tell the truth she hadn't made much effort towards making friends, she had had Katie to hang out with, but her cousin was getting on her nerves, mooning after some third year and refusing to go out. "Hello Alexander," she called. Perhaps it was time to start cultivating relationships with some of her classmates, the more worthy ones of course. Besides, he was a boy, maybe he wouldn't object to going out.

(OOC, I hope you don't mind if Dani drops in, I assumed they would at least know of each other, I hope that's okay! ^^)

[Alexander Sowerby]

Alexander had half expected to see the glowing smile of Elisabet as he turned around but his eye sight met a fellow Slytherin first year. Danielle's was a rather haughty girl, much like he was or maybe he still was and was one of those Slytherins who came from a well off family which oddly enough was the norm for his house.

He wasn't surprised to see the girl outside of the dorm, the common room was packed with fifth and seventh years who were now panicking about their upcoming O.W.L's and their N.E.W.T. Examinations at the end of the school year. It seemed odd that they panicked so late in their schoolig career especially aince Slytherin's were not famed for their scholastic prowess. Either way though, it was almost impossible to get a seat inside.

The weather outside was nothing special but Alexander reckoned it would be better to be outside than inside in the powder keg that was the Common Room, Study Hall or the Library, where you could on a daily basis witness an incident of harassed looking older students blowing their tense built up frustration on younger students when they happened to interrupt their studying. It was never pretty and on a few occasions that Alexander was in the Study Hall he had witnessed a hurl of hexes bein thrown by a Slytherin fifth year against a gaggle of obnoxious first year students.

The boy smiled politely at the girl, "How do you do Daniella?" he asked the girl.

[Daniella Cruz]

"Well enough," she said with a shrug. "Bored out of my mind though." Who would have thought Slytherins would worry about exams? Apparently they did though, because one of the Prefects was screeching her head off about people being too loud while she studied for O.W.L.s. She supposed ambition was one of their traits, but if you were going to kick up such a fuss about studying you ought to be a Ravenclaw. Dani certainly wasn't getting her bloomers in a bunch over her exams. They were approaching quickly, but she was already getting better grades than Alejandro had without working, she wasn't about to change that now. Her father didn't think girls needed to be smart in terms of school anyway, it wasn't like they would be incredibly pleased with her if she got a perfect score on all her exams.

"What about yourself?" she asked. "Not studying for our impending doom, I mean exams?" Listening to the teachers you would think that your life depended on your first year exams. Maybe for some people, Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs who didn't have a cent to their name, but Daniella didn't need to worry and she doubted Alexander did either, although to be fair standards were a bit higher for the boys. It might annoy her that boys could do things that she couldn't, but she didn't begrudge them the expectations. At least that was what she told herself.

[Alexander Sowerby]

"Well enough," the girl said as she shrugged "Bored out of my mind though."

Alexander gave her a sympathetic smile. He was a bit surprised that she said this, there was a lot to do in March. Of course, he always kept up with school work and revisions; which he knew would help at the end of the year for studying, but he reckoned to someone who didn't care about getting top grades this month was boring as everyone geared up for  the final showdown of exams and essay writing.

"What about yourself?" she asked. "Not studying for our impending doom, I mean exams?"

Alexander smiled again, he wasn't about to answer truthfully. Other than his teachers and Elisabet, he doubted anyone knew how much diligence he put into his school work and studying. Of course, having kept up with revisions; he didn't think he'd need to study as hard as all the others, who would undoubtedly study at the last minute and hope that they'd remember it all.

"No, it's pointless." he said a moment after she had spoken. "I mean, it's only march and we're only in our first year and if one is going to fail, they're going to fail anyway" he said shrugging his shoulders, knowing full well that he was going to spend more time revising his notes that night in the study hall or the dormitory.

"So were you about to go out into the Grounds?" Alexander asked after taking a quick glance at his watch, surprised that Elisabet had not shown up yet.

[Elisabet la Barre]

Elisabet practically zoomed down the stairs, I can't believe I am late she thought to herself.
"So were you about to go out into the Grounds?"she overheard Alex ask another girl as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Elisabet froze in shock,she enjoyed her and Alex' walks around the ground. Alex loosened up a bit and Betta didn't feel the pressure of people assuming she was a genius because she was in Ravenclaw.Especially, since her sister was in perpetual hiding and she had no one else to really talkNo matter Elisabet said to herself, resolving that she could and would be cheerful and accepting of this new interloper,who knows, I may even make a new friendshe tried to convince herself. Taking a deep, calming breathe she stepped towards the pair.
" Sorry I'm late, Alex. I was studying and lost track of time. she apologized and then smiled at the new girl. "Hello, my name is Elisabet." , she said while holding out her hand.

[Daniella Cruz]

She nodded appreciatively. Here was a boy she might be able to get along with. "Exactly. The older years especially, goodness knows you can't stuff five or seven years of school into a few months." Even she wouldn't try that. Maybe things got harder as you went, but she was perfectly able to stay on top of things without working at it. Or if not on top, she was able to keep from falling off the mountain head first. In the end it amounted to the same thing anyway, no one was going to care what her Charms grade in the first year had been.

"I think so," she said making up her mind on the spot. After all, her whole flying indoors thing hadn't gone over particularly well. "What about you? Were you waiting for someone or going out?" Okay, it was nosy, but she wasn't going to stand around and think of a subtle way to frame it. It was interest, you had to be interested in people right? Or rather, if you wanted them to like you or wanted something of them you had to at least pretend you were interested.

A second girl appeared a moment later, a Ravenclaw Dani thought. She didn't give her last name, but if she was friends with Alexander she must be okay, right? " Daniella Cruz," she said shaking the offered hand. "Nice to meet you Elisabet." At least she hoped so.

[Alexander Sowerby]

"Exactly. The older years especially, goodness knows you can't stuff five or seven years of school into a few months." the girl said, Alexander nodded in agreement. He didn't think it was wise to start studying this late before the exams occurred, especially when most students had not been diligent enough to study throughout their first five or six years beforehand.

Replying to the thread about going outside, Daniella said "I think so," and before he could say anything else she asked "What about you? Were you waiting for someone or going out?". Just as she asked, he heard the soft footsteps on the marble staircase. Looking behind and up, he saw Elisabet. Beaming at the girl he replied. "As a matter of fact, she's just arrived."

"Sorry I'm late, Alex. I was studying and lost track of time." Elisabet said breathlessly as she smiled and than greeted Daniella holding out her hand. "Hello, my name is Elisabet."

"No need to worry Elisabet, I thought that was the case. I just came up a few seconds ago." Alexander said to make sure his friend didn't feel bad about making him wait.

Daniella took the chance to introudce herself " Daniella Cruz," taking Elisabet's hand and shaking it. "Nice to meet you Elisabet."

Alexander looked at Elisabet, shifting in his place to ensure that Daniella didn't see his expression. He gave Elisabet a very sympathetic look that plainly told her. We should invite her right?

In the pause of a few seconds that seemed like eternity, Alexander proposed. "Well, perhaps we ought to see how cold it is outside first and how damp. We can go to the Transfiguration Courtyard, their's grass there. So it's a good gauge whether we'd get soaked taking a walk in the grounds?" Alexander said shrugging his shoulders all the while with an amused smirk on his face.

Edited by Alexander Sowerby, 27 January 2012 - 06:16 PM.

[Elisabet la Barre]

"She can come, if she wants. I don't mind" Betta answered Alex.

Secretly, Betta was seething and she worked really hard to not let it show.

'You're very welcome to join us. Alex and I go for walks almost everyday to relax after studying." she told Daniella

"Well, perhaps we ought to see how cold it is outside first and how damp. We can go to the Transfiguration Courtyard, their's grass there. So it's a good gauge whether we'd get soaked taking a walk in the grounds?" Alex said.

"Sounds like a good plan to me", Elisabet answered. "Let's start shall we? We'll waste all the good walking light." she finished and slipped her arm through Alex'

[Alexander Sowerby]

"She can come, if she wants. I don't mind"

It was for nothing that Elisabet was Alexander's best friend; he knew from the way she spoke that she wasn't exactly crazy about this predicament. Of course, the boy knew at the same time that it would be almost impossible for Daniella to think otherwise. Alexander eyed his best friend cautiously. Trying to express without words how sorry he was for allowing the girl to tag along with them on one of their walks. He of course didn't mind the Slytherin, but this was one of those things that he liked doing only with Elisabet and she undoubtedly liked his companionship as well.

When no one spoke, to break the silence the Ravenclaw spoke calmly and gently. 'You're very welcome to join us. Alex and I go for walks almost everyday to relax after studying."

Alexander nodded politely to Daniella. After mentioning the idea of going to the Courtyard, his best friend replied.

"Sounds like a good plan to me", Elisabet answered. "Let's start shall we? We'll waste all the good walking light."

Just as she finished saying that she slipped her arm around his; he smiled at her and they turned toward the staircase which would lead them into the Great Staircase to the Transfiguration Corridor and Wing.

Edited by Alexander Sowerby, 01 February 2012 - 11:35 PM.

[Daniella Cruz]

Daniella watched the silent exchange from Alexander to Elisabet with a carefully neutral expression. They were obviously close friends, which probably meant she was intruding on something. Although she had been here first in theory. Elisabet could get off whatever high horse she was obviously riding or go back to Ravenclaw for all Dani cared. She was starting to wonder though whether any type of relationship with Alexander would be worth it if she would be subject to this girl though.

'She can come if she wants.'

Dani  forced herself not to scowl. Would it be better to gracefully step out or to force her presence on them? Be a lady or be annoying?

Well being a lady was rather boring.

"I would enjoy that very much," she said sweetly. "I haven't made many friends here yet, I was with my cousin, but I decided I should expand my horizons as it were." If that meant Katie was a moron than yes, that was her plan. She smirked a little when Elisabet slipped her arm through Alexander's, someone was getting a bit territorial. "Lead the way," she said, an evil glitter in her eyes.

[Elisabet la Barre]

As soon as Dani said lead away, Elisabet turned and started walking down the hall with Alex. Checking to see that they were a bit from Dani, she whispered to Alex.
"I don't trust her at all." and then in a slightly louder voice
"Where do you want to walk today after we check the courtyard. Wanna visit the lake?"
Oops!, Elisabet thought, Why did I mention the lake??
"Um.. well," she stumbled over words. "Maybe not the lake." Suddenly remembering Dani Elisabet asked, "How about you? Is there anywhere you would like to walk?"

[Alexander Sowerby]

Alexander glanced backwards at Daniella who 'appreciated' being allowed to tag along. "I would enjoy that very much," of course, he wasn't naive and could tell that their was a false note in her voice. "I haven't made many friends here yet, I was with my cousin, but I decided I should expand my horizons as it were." Alexander smiled at the girl as they walked toward the Transfiguration corridor. "Lead the way," she called over to them.

Just as they neared a turn, Elisabet whispered to Alexander, making sure they wouldn't be overheard. "I don't trust her at all.", Alexander gave her a side long meaningful look telling her plainly he understood and agreed. Before Alexander could reply however, Elisabet spoke once again in a slightly louder voice
"Where do you want to walk today after we check the courtyard. Wanna visit the lake?" She blushed at the mention of the lake, Alexander did not react; he had survived a near death experience and yet he wasn't scared of the lake anymore than he was before. The Ravenclaw seemed to stumble trying to repair the damage she believed to have caused "Um.. well," adding "Maybe not the lake.", Alexander laughed at the bit of the awkwardness. "Lake is fine, as far as I'm concerned" he smiled and winked at Elisabet. He wasn't scared off course, for if one allowed fear to reign over their life than fear became them. He was definitely not going to allow fear to rule over him.

Elisabet called out to Daniella once again. "How about you? Is there anywhere you would like to walk?"

They neared the Transfiguration corridor which was just a hallway up ahead.

Edited by Alexander Sowerby, 09 February 2012 - 07:23 AM.

[Daniella Cruz]

Her irritation increased with both of them as they walked. Whispering, they obviously didn't want her along, but didn't have the guts to say it. She had tried to think well of them both, she had wanted to like Alexander, but she was finding it increasingly difficult to think nicely of either of them. Her fingers itched to whip out her wand and curse them both, but no, she couldn't do that. For one thing she didn't know any really good ones yet, for another she could get back better by forcing her presence on them. Jinxes could come later if necessary.

Maybe not the lake? Something about the lake was important and that made Dani immediately want to go there. "The lake is fine," she said with feigned indifference. "I don't care, I haven't been down there in a while."

[Elisabet la Barre]

"Great! The lake it is." Elisabet said with a strained smile. "So, tell us about yourself. We're already friends, so what about you?" Elisabet said trying hard to be polite, she may not like Dani, but her mother raised her better. "Did you really crash a broom into Denman?", Elisabet asked. "I heard some older Ravenclaws mention it"

[Alexander Sowerby]

"The lake is fine," she said with feigned indifference. "I don't care, I haven't been down there in a while."

Alexander looked at the girl, she seemed indifferent and yet it was as if he could guess that cogs were working there underneath it all churning out something. For all intent and purpose, he was going to stay quiet; not for fear or for worry. Simply, Daniella was in his house and he didn't think it was prudent to be seen as a traitor to his own House. Especially since he was already seen as an outsider by most of the older house mates.

Their silence was broken by Elisabet "Great! The lake it is.", she seemed to be attempting to be as nice as possible. If Alexander didn't think it would likely cause a terrible row, he would have laughed at the awkwardness and serious tension in the air. Instead he mused himself by listening to their conversation and looking at the portraits of famous wizards, witches along the walls of the school. They passed the portrait of Anne Boleyn the wife of King Henry VIII when Elisabet asked Daniella a question.

"So, tell us about yourself. We're already friends, so what about you?" it seemed to Alexander that these two could never truly get along, there was some hidden-secret-deep-rooted irritation that they both shared for another. He wondered what it was. He of course liked Elisabet she was after all his best friend. It was at the thought of why they seemed to hold this deep rooted secretive annoyance at one another that Alexander's temporary contemplation was broken by Elisabet's attempt to make conversation. "Did you really crash a broom into Denman?",, Alexander's eyebrows were in danger of disappearing into his fringe as he starred at his friend.

He wasn't sure whether she was playing at getting the girl furious enough to leave them, to start a fight or to do just upset the girl. "I heard some older Ravenclaws mention it".

"Well, let's take this short cut shall we." Alexander said loudly and a bit awkwardly in the proceeding silence which seemed to follow.

[Daniella Cruz]

Whether Elisabet was genuinely curious or trying to be polite Dani didn't know. She didn't particularly care either, although she suspected the latter. Maybe Elisabet had designs on Alexander and didn't want to share, Dani didn't know. In her opinion boys were either annoying and needed to be roundly beat or they were partners in crime. She supposed some day her mother would want her to marry one, but Dani was in no hurry to concern herself with them in any other way.

"There's not too much to tell," she said carefully. "What did you want to know?" She wasn't good at explaining herself, especially not to people she didn't know well.

"Oh. That." She grinned. "I didn't quite crash into him, he was flying around with pillows of all things attached to that carpet. I was riding down the same hall and ran into them." She was quite proud of herself, even more if word was being spread. It meant she was doing her job. "Alright," she added, glancing at Alexander who seemed a bit uncomfortable.

Oh. Had she supposed to be annoyed by that question?