"Thank goodness, you're coming with me, I didn't want to go alone," Anniebelle smiled. "Finally some actual girl time."

Anniebelle was truly excited, she honestly could wait to talk to McGonagall and get the verdict. The two girls made their way to Professor McGonagall's office. When they got to the door to the office--it dawned on Annie, she didn't have the pass code, in all of her years being here she had never gotten into trouble.

"Cassi, I know you're new here and all, but do you know the code? I never learned it, I never got in trouble or had to even talk to McGonagall about my grades.."

"Like I've said to you before, I'm yours for as long as you want me," Evonka grinned, taking a quick look around--no one was watching, she planted a delicate kiss on Alyssa's lips. "Anyways, you're the only one I will ever love, your Sister is just not my type. Your Sister could not possibly cause us to separate, I still keep a few sips of Truth serum around, you know."

The halls were curiously on the side of empty as Afanassii made his way through them. He shyly pulled his hair behind one ear and covertly eyed the few remaining students. They seemed far more jovial than he was expecting.

The confusion on his face must have spoke volumes because the painting of a man he had hardly noticed suddenly spoke aloud as he passed, causing him to nearly trip and fall down the nearest stairway.

"Classes are out for afternoon break." the raspy man's voice said. A chuckle later and he continued. "Don't you know anything about the school yet?"

Nassii blushed red as his hair and nodded. "Yes, sir... Prasteete - Sorry sir.." He moved quickly to the newly-aligned stairway nearby and deftly pulled his long hair up before it became pinched between the stairs and the landing.

"I think now is probably a good time to get some fresh air..." he thought, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. A few moments later he was outside, wandering the campus grounds and scoping out the other students nearby...

Alison was back on the ground and started walking to the castle. She noticed the third year Ravenclaw Afanassii. "Hey. I know you." Her blue and bronze Ravenclaw tie was messy, along with her hair from the flight that she had. "We havent properly met, she holds out her hand in a friendly gesture, "I'm Alison.Prefect for the Ravenclaw house."

Alyssa smiles, "Sounds like you are planning to slip some in her Butterbeer during the next Hogsmade trip." She giggled slightly under her breath.

Nassii swallowed nervously and began playing with a lock of hair absent-mindedly. "Oh...da-Yes!" he nodded. "I should know you." He chuckled awkwardly and nodded.

A moment of silence later and he finally realized what he was supposed to have been doing. The blush now seemingly permanent on his fair features he reached a hand out and took the prefect's own. "Afanassii..." he began, bowing. "Abez'iana. I transferred... but you probably know this."

Cassi thought she did a good job of hiding her shock from Annie over being wanted. She certainly never would've thought that Annie had been nervous. Great people like her just didn't feel that sort of thing, according to Cassi's viewpoint anyway. "Uh, y-yeah," Cassi said, frowning in thought. "P-Pericle? N-No? H-How a-about p-prevail?" Seeing no success, Cassi started to get frustrated.

"Sparky, help me out here," she said to her dragon, who wriggled fitfully on her arm. "What's the password?"

"Percivil," the reptile responded, sounding dreadfully vicious as he hissed the words out.

"Okay. Thanks!" she responded, stroking her sleeve, though she only got a grunt in response.

"P-Percivil!" she said, confident that it was correct. And the gargoyle proved it, jumping aside to reveal the stairs leading up to the office. Even during the day it was kind of spooky, and Cassi couldn't help the shiver that traveled down her spine. The journey upwards was a quick one. In moments they were standing in front of her desk, Cassi slightly to the right and behind Annie, waiting for her to start the conversation.

"I do know this. You seem to be just at lost as I was my first year here." She smiled warmly. "You'll get used to things around here very quickly. I know I did."

"I have to apologize," Nassii began, attempting his usually charming smile and yet possibly failing completely at the task. "I feel a little ... out of my element."

He looked around and sniffed the air as the breeze blew through his hair. Autumn was always a lovely time of year and he was pleased to see the beginnings of the season here as well. Turning back to Alison, he smiled again - this time more genuinely. "So, might I ask what you are doing right now?"

"I was just practicing my flying." She moves her broom off from hanging over her shoulder. "Quittich tryouts start up soon. I was just making sure that i still had the skills to fly and not fall on my face." She smiled remembering the time she flew on a broom. She had ended up in a cast. Having non-magical parents meant no magical ways to mend bones.

"Nah, I keep it around, just in case I find myself in a bend, where I get cornered and told I'm lying, you know why I keep it around silly. First year I had some problems, that one third year in Slytherin said I was stalking him and stealing his possessions, it was actually someone in Ravenclaw, a sixth year. I made myself confess my innocence to prove I wasn't guilty--to prevent expulsion and points that would have been deducted from Hufflepuff," She chuckled, :But, we could use some on your Sister if you wanted to..."

Professor McGonagal, are you free," Anniebelle question, as she made her way up the remaining stairs--McGonagall was at her desk.

She looked up at Anniebelle, "Ah, Anniebelle--I am free at the moment and what may I do for you?"

"I was wondering if I may go into town to purchase a broom and some rune thread, I would of course bring you something back--if you'd like me to that is, but only with your permission," Anniebelle asked.

"Trying out for the Quidditch team, Miss. Langdon," McGonagall questioned.

"Yes, Professor, I am. Cassi suggested I give it a shot. I am rather good with a broom, I'm just unprepared for tryouts," Anniebelle frowned.

"Do you have the money for said broom," McGonagall questioned.

"Yes, ma'am, I do. I always keep a fair share of money nearby," Anniebelle replied.

"And you would like to go into Hogsmeade, am I correct?"

"Yes, we will not be more than three hours, both Cassi and I are trying out for the Quidditch team."

"Permission granted, oh and Anniebelle."

Anniebelle had already turn around, so she had to turn back around, "Yes?"

"Bring me back a few Licorice Wands and some Chocolate Frogs, will you?"

"Will do, and thank you."

"You're very welcome, now you two run along, and be safe."

Anniebelle nodded, "Thank, Professor, you a wonderful person."

McGonagall nodded, Anniebelle turned to leave, she figured Cassi would follow behind her, so she took slow steps so that Cassi could keep up.

"Cassi, I'm so excited, I didn't think we would be allowed to go into Hogsmeade before Winter Break, three hours is more than enough time, and we'll be able to fly back," Anniebelle grinned. "I guess having good grades and a spotless record do help my case though."

Alyssa laughed. It would be nice to know what Alison really thought of the two of them. She seems really honest. But nobody ever really knows for sure. The belll for the end of the afternoon break should be coming soon.

"Afternoon break is going to be ending soon, we go on and head inside, so we're not late for the next class today," Evonka cooed, as she got up helping Alyssa to her feet, "Come I'll walk you to class, Deary. Your Sister will probably rip my eyes out if I don't help make sure you're to class on time, then you'll have to take care of me."

Afanassii swallowed hard and shifted uneasily when the Ravenclaw prefect brought up her broom; flying was not one of his specialties. Truth be told, Afanassii was worse at flying than he was at almost every other magical art he had come across so far. A lot of it was teenage bumbling - a lot of gangly arms and his long hair combined with a nack for accidents.

He sighed and smiled meekly at her. "Um... Ok.. What position on the team will you be trying out for?"

"Im the captain. Not everybody is a natural flyer like that Potter boy that's so famous. Have you looked in the trophy room? He has a lot of trophies!" As she mentioned Potter her eyes lit up with admiration. "I wish coud have knows somebody that knew him or went here when He did... You heard that he defeated the most evil wizard ever?" She soundslike she has read a few articles about him too.

"I can guarentee you that she won't rip you apart Eve. My sister is a lot of things, but violent isnt one of them. Speaking of..." She pointd out her sister who was talking to a younger Ravenclaw near the castle entrance. Ans she couldn't help but crack a joke, "Looks like shes interested in the babies."

"Well, seeing that humans don't necessarily need their eyes, they are just used for sight," Evonka grinned. "Looks like Alison likes to rob the cradle, hey but look at the bright-side maybe she'll quit checking me out and realize she should be date a man, I don't think she's cut out to go both ways like us."

Shifting from foot to foot, Cassi tried to remain inconspicuous while Annie talked, preferring that she be out of the spotlight greatly. Public attention was certainly not something Cassi sought. She was much more comfortable in the shadows. Which explained her speedy following of Annie through the exit.

"Wh-What's H-Hogsmeade?" Cassi asked, silver eyes clouded with confusion. "I-I u-understand th-that i-it's p-probably a t-town o-or v-village, b-but wh-wher i-is i-it?" She was truly clueless as to the geography of the region. It was nothing like America! Pouting slightly at the thought, Cassi didn't see the raised tile, and ended up sprawled on her face while several students walked by, staring at her in stupefaction before busting out in laughter. The tears sprang back to the girl's eyes, and she sniffed, standing up and darting away before she couldn't hold them in anymore.

Hopefully she'd have them gone before Annie showed up, though her eyes were going to be a little puffy and red, especially against the silver of her eyes. Frowning slightly, she waited for Annie to catch up, mentally kicking herself for her clumsiness.

The Russian boy enthusiastically nodded. "Oh, yes... I think about everyone knows about Harry Potter." Dragging a foot on the ground in repetitive lines he went on in a rather sheepish way. "Was it that obvious that I cannot really fly?"

"You had a very obvious mood shift. I could see it in your eyes. Not everyonecan fly. But I wasn't a perfect flyer at first either. Perhaps you can take a flying lesson? They're available here." Alison smiled, she was about to say something else, but the bell signalling the end of the afternoon break rang across teh grounds. "I really have to go, my class is in the highest tower. I'll talk to ou later though." She ran off, and stumbled over the foot of a seventh grade Slytherin, she gavehima rude hand gesture and continued on her way.

"Crap." Alyssa broke out to a run, she liked Defense Against the Dark Arts too much to be late. She called over her shoulder to her girlfriend, "We'll continue this talk later okay? In the library before dinner." She ran right through the ghost of Gryffindor, Narly-Headless Nick. "Sorry Nick!"

Anniebelle didn't reply to the questions immediately, she heard Cassi fall, and rushed right behind her to see if she was alright.

"Cassi, are you okay," Anniebelle asked softly, concern filling her eyes. "I can carry you on my back if you'd like."

She paused, "Hogsmeade, is a little town beyond Hogwarts, we're going to have to walk, it's about a mile or so from the school. Just follow me.."

"Alright, I will see you then," Evonka called.

She made her was through the Halls to go on to Herbology, she wouldn't miss it for the world, Professor Longbotton was an amazing man. She arrived to class five minutes early, to await for the class to file and listen for further instruction.

Afanassii smiled at his prefect happily and nodded as she moved to leave. He caught the gesture toward the Slytherin boy but, being new to the school he wasn't too sure what all the politics were about."

With a confused look and a sigh he began walking around a bit longer, waiting for the bell to call him to his first classes and hoping to make a new acquaintance. Allison had done much to settle his nerves.

Rubbing at her eyes furiously, Cassi tried to avoid looking at Annie, ashamed of her tears. "Y-yeah," she answered just as, if not more, softly. "I-It w-was th-the b-being l-laughed a-at. I-I'm e-emotionally l-labile, s-so th-that m-means th-that I-I r-respond t-to e-extremes. I-I'm n-not h-hurt o-or a-anything, s-so I-I c-can w-walk." She motioned for Annie to go first slightly, following behind closely.

But apparently she had hit her head a little harder than she had thought, or at least that's what the pounding was telling her. Pulling off her hat, she reached inside and grasped the bottle of child's Tylenol, opening it and withdrawing a pill that she threw to the back of her throat, swallowing impulsively. Then the bottle went back into her hat, which she placed back in it's rightful spot on her head.

When they got away from the school, Cassi pulled off her hat again, this time pulling out a slab of meat that she handled with gloves, ripping off pieces at a time before feeding them to Sparky. He certainly was hungry! Unfortunately, that only served to remind Cassi that they hadn't had lunch either. Despite her stomach roaring at her though, she didn't ask Annie if they could stop for a bite to eat. It was her money, so it was up to her how to spend it.

"I'm feeling rather peckish, what do you say, lunch before shopping," Anniebelle questioned. "We could eat at Madam Puddifoot's or The Three Broomsticks. Then head on to Diagon Alley to get a broom via flu powder, if there's no one around selling the new Nimbus. I must ask though, have you ever traveled by Flu powder?"

Annabelle watched as Cassi fed her dragon, it was definitely an amazing creature. Her weasel lurched about her collar, she seemed rather hungry to.

"Rupert, calm down boy," Anniebelle cooed.

The weasel calmed down a few moment later, but started nibbling at Anniebelle ear lobe, she pulled out a small package, which held some bread for the weasel, which he gladly welcomed in small pieces.

"When you're ready we will head on, Cassi," Anniebelle grinned.

"Th-that s-sounds g-good. I-I'm st-starved," Cassi responded, placing a hand to her rumbling tummy to try and quell it's violent protest."B-But I-I h-haven't t-traveled b-by F-Flu p-powder b-before. W-We h-have wh-what w-we c-call P-Pixie D-Dust b-back h-home th-though." She shrugged as she finished. What the heck was Flu powder anyway?

Shaking her head, Cassi fed the last piece of meat to Sparky, watching as he charred it with his pink and black flames. Every phoenix dragon had a different flame color that was their primary, though they could make basically any color they wished. It was almost like an identifier for them. It also said what personality the dragon possessed, though Cassi didn't know them all.

Peeling off the gloves and tucking them in her hat to be washed later, Cassi nodded. "I-I'm r-ready. Y-You d-didn't n-need t-to st-stop f-for m-me." Annie's weasel was pretty amazing though. They looked as close to each other as Sparky was to Cassi. Honestly, Cassi had never even seen a weasel before, except in books of course. It was certainly an interesting creature.

Iris rushed into class and almost tripped as she ran to a spare seat. "Sorry I'm late Professor! Opal got sick so I was looking after her" She said so fast that her words could only just be made out. She then collapsed into the chair and pulled out her textbook.
The black haired girl had a few feathers sticking out of her hair and a few scratches on her hands from trying to calm her panicked snowy owl, but she barely noticed. She would surely endure the pain 100 times over for the bird, though Opal wasn't just a bird. The white owl was Iris' best friend as strange as it may have seemed to others, but they had been together for 5 years and not once had one hurt the other

"We'll eat at The Three Broomsticks then, they have a large fireplace to transport us. Flu powder, well take a handful, clearly speak the place you want go and throw the powder at your feet, but you have to be in an unlit fireplace for it to work. I tend to wait on people because it's a nice thing to do Cass," Anniebelle grinned.

The two girls started walking once more, making there way across thousands of fallen least to arrive in the sleepy town twenty minutes later. Anniebelle headed straight for The Three Broomsticks, holding the door open for Cassi, once they were both inside Annie headed to the bar.

"Hello, I would like to place and order for my friend and I, two butter beers, a bowl of roast beef stew--with a side of bread, and what ever she wishes to get," Anniebelle spoke softly.

The bartender awaited Cassi's order, going about to fix the two butterbeers, Anniebelle climbed up into the bar stool.

"O-oh! Th-then i-it's th-the s-same th-thing th-then. O-Or s-sort o-of an-anyway," Cassi responded, snapping her fingers to emphasize the connection. She was glad that it was still daytime. She knew she wouldn't be walking through her so calmly in the dead of night. Shivering, she picked up her pace to be next to Annie, trying to keep from looking into the woods for monsters and other things that go bump in the night.

A crow squawking sent Cassi sprinting down the road before she realized it had just been a bird, causing her to slow down to allow Annie to catch up. Her face was furiously red, so she tried to avoid looking Annie in the eye, instead staring down at the dirt track. "S-Sorry," she muttered, peeking a glance at her friend for a reaction.

Eventually, they arrived at the small town, and Annie led the way to their destination, opening the door and waiting for Cassi to cross the threshold. She followed behind, climbing up the stool while Annie made her order. To be honest, she hadn't expected being given the choice of what to eat, so she had no idea what to choose. "Uh, I-I'll t-take wh-what sh-she's h-having, j-just l-less," Cassi responded, looking to Annie sheepishly.