there's magic in all of this

Fred was half tempted to clasp his hand over Honoria's mouth, but refrained from doing so. "Oi, shut it!" Fred laughed, his cheeks burning as bright as his hair. "We don't want the whole school to hear." Fred peered to George, before looking back to Honoria. He'd had a crush on Lucy Lovelis for so long, and he was sure that he couldn't keep it to himself for much longer, and what better way to get close to a Slytherin than be introduced by another Slytherin? It was genius, really. As George spoke, Fred grinned. "We've liked them for a long time," Fred spoke proudly. "It's about time we tell them, I reckon. But, seeing as you're agreeing." Fred offered the little black pouch to Honoria. "Take them. They taste like banana fudge, but guaranteed to cause boils that won't disappear for a month." Fred looked to George then. "We were going to do three months, but we couldn't be that cruel. After all, it was only Ashton Irwin that got hurt." Fred grinned teasingly, although he was fond of Elise's friends, he was curious to how Honoria would react.

Ashton grinned down at Elise. "Oh?" Ashton prompted. Making his way out into the sunshine with his best friends at his side, he couldn't help but smile, feeling like he was walking on air. The morning hadn't started off brilliantly, but just speaking to Honoria made Ashton feel like he could take on the world and win. "How can you not be in a good mood?" Ashton teased. "The sun is out, our next class isn't for, like, an hour; and we study magic. Actual magic!" Ashton squeezed around his friends. Even after four years of attending Hogwarts, he still couldn't quite believe that he was lucky enough to know of the existene of magic and the many ways it could be used for good. He couldn't quite believe he was lucky enough to meet Honoria along the way, and even luckier to fall in love with her. Ashton was sure he'd never get a chance, but even for as young as he was, Ashton was certain it was Honoria he wanted to marry, wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Isadora laughed with Ashton's infectious happiness, although she was sure that a large part of her own happiness was all credited to Calum, and the conversation she'd had with him. Isadora couldn't help but convince herself she'd seen a different side of the boy with the mischevious smirk, a more gentle, approachable side, one that Isadora wanted to see more often. "What Ashton said," Isadora teased to Elise. "Besides, look at yourself! You're practically glowing!" Isadora teased, grinning as Ashton squeezed around them. Isadora was so grateful to her friends, but a part of her wished that she was in Calum's arms, instead. "Besides, when you study at a place like this," she looked up to the castle as they stepped out into the sunshine. "How can you not be happy?" Isadora smiled softly. "What's next on the agenda?"

Luke felt the happiness spread through him like a wildfire, and as he walked with Calum to look for Honoria, he couldn't stop himself for smiling. It didn't matter that his parents were in Hogwarts, it didn't matter that he could get into trouble for hexing Noah, all that mattered was that he'd had a natural, lighthearted conversation with Elise. Memorising her words, the sound of her voice, Luke bit his lip as he watched the redhead walk away with her friends, and Luke grinned, shaking his head as he bit his lip. Luke had sworn to himself he'd never become soft, or weak. But something about Elise, the love he held for her, made him want to throw away his old fashioned beliefs and fully embrace being the sort of person that she was - kind and so wonderfully expressive, so wonderfully Elise. "I want more conversations like that." Luke admitted quietly to Calum. "Just... moments where I can be normal with Elise," he looked to his best friend, exhaling happily. "Mate, we're in deep. We're in trouble." Luke teased.

As Michael picked her up, Nerissa gasped, wrapping her arms around Michael's neck. "Michael!" She laughed, biting her lip as she buried her face into his neck, not caring in that moment if the gesture was anything but platonic. "Put me down!" She giggled. Michael was tall for a fourteen year old - he was tall anyway - and Nerissa was sure that being this high up was making her dizzy.

Honoria offered an amused grin as she watched them. “Bloody hell, you should see your faces right now,” she teased lightly, arching a brow as she examined them, “It looks like you’re going to set yourselves on fire with how red your cheeks are, that’s so cute.” It surprised her, almost, that the twins would even confide something like this to her, of all people - to a Slytherin at all, for that matter. A part of her, though, even if it was a small part, felt a giddy happiness fill her with the thought, but she quickly forced the thought away, blinking as she took the black pouch. “Wonderful, thank you.” She offered a small smirk. “So, question, which one of you likes which twin?” She arched a brow before pausing when she heard Fred’s later words and, scowling, she shoved at his shoulder, trying her best to reign herself in and appear natural, to pretend the thought of Ashton getting hurt didn’t bother her, but she couldn’t help it. “Take that back - he didn’t deserve to get hurt any more than any of the rest of them did!”

George made a face, his cheeks bright enough to rival Fred’s, and Honoria’s teasing didn’t really help the matter, but he laughed it off, rolling his eyes. “Quite a thought there,” he chimed jokingly, “Setting ourselves on fire would be so counter-productive, Honoria!” Grinning, he lifted his arm, resting his elbow on his brother’s shoulder and, leaning against his twin, he nodded along to Fred’s words. “After all, if we don’t tell them soon, we may never get the chance to.” And, George didn’t think he could bear the thought of never confessing his feelings for Nancy; it’d been difficult to hold it in all these years and he was certain that he would burst if he didn’t get the confession out sooner rather than later - or never. He blinked, though, with Honoria’s question, and he grinned broadly. “Nancy, obviously, for me,” he chimed happily, “That girl captured my heart the first moment I laid eyes on her, and I haven’t gone back on that since.” And, he never intended to; Nancy was everything he could ever want. He arched a brow, though, at Honoria’s reaction to Fred’s words and, smirking, he looked to his brother. “You know, now it all seems to make sense,” he said casually.

Calum chewed on his lip, trying to bite back his grin as the memory of Isadora’s smile, her smirk, her voice, her laugh, burned into his mind in the best way, and all he wanted was to witness that more often - to witness that for the rest of his life, even. Of course, he knew how unlikely it would be that he would ever get such an opportunity, but he hoped, more than he ever had, that perhaps fate would smile down more on him, that he’d been granted the one wish he’d ever had, to have Isadora. “It would be a dream come true if I could go every day, having conversations like that with Isadora, where we’re both just… Light and cheerful and amused and happy,” he admitted quietly, though he was aware that he’d likely never have that opportunity if he never brought himself to confess that desire to Isadora. That didn’t mean he’d let Felix have that opportunity, though. He chuckled, though. “We’re in too deep to turn back now, mate,” he shot back with a grin, peering around as they walked before spotting Honoria with the twins. Making his way over, he slung an arm over Honoria’s shoulders as he joined the trio, having caught the tail end of what George said. “What makes sense?” he asked with curiosity, arching a brow before he blinked when he saw the pouch and, reaching for it, he grinned. “You actually got them?” Arching a brow, he looked from Honoria to the twins. “How many are in here?”

Elise watched her friends, arching a brow as she listened to them, but she grinned with amusement and shook her head slightly. “Right, right, how could I be so silly?” she joked lightly, but her heart swelled with the memory of her conversation with Luke, of his voice, and she chewed on her lip, though she blinked when she registered Isadora’s words. “What? Glowing? I am not!” She quickly lifted her hands to her cheeks, worried that perhaps she was blushing with the thoughts of Luke, but she quickly shook her head and cleared her throat. “Well, since we don’t have class for an hour, we can maybe relax outside?” she suggested, looking to her friends with curiosity, “Or we could roam the corridors, try to find something interesting to keep us occupied?” She shrugged, not really caring what they did, so long as she got to spend time with her friends, though she hoped to at least get her mind off of Luke.

Michael grinned broadly down at Nerissa, admittedly loving the feeling of Nerissa’s arms around his neck, though he did his best not to let that show too much, instead just letting himself enjoy it in silence, though he laughed when he heard her laugh, swearing her laugh was infectious. He was certain that, if he - or anybody - was ever having a bad day, all it would take was her laughter to make any day brighter. His heart swelling with the thought, his grin broadened when he felt her bury her face into his neck. “What?” he asked in a hum, feigning innocence, “You gave me permission! You told me to go on then!” And, to emphasize his point, he held her a little closer to himself, a little tighter, swearing he never wanted to let her go. But, eventually, his grin softened and he shifted to set her on her feet carefully while they were still on the stairs, not wanting to make her uncomfortable in any way, especially when she’d requested to be put back down. “There, better?” Arching an amused brow, he examined her, taking her in, but his grin returned, as broad as ever, and he tilted his head. “You know what, Nerissa? I just swept you off your feet - lucky me.” Laughing, he winked teasingly, but, God, did he wish the words were true in the proper sense, rather than in the joking sense of him just picking her up.

Fred's blush only seemed to turn more crimson with Honoria's words, but he quickly tried to shrug off her teasing, a smile etched onto his features as he rolled his eyes dismissively. "Bloody hell, Honoria, you'll be the death of us." Fred teased, but as the conversation turned to Lucy, Fred felt his heart swell with something he could only describe as love - Fred had fallen, hard and fast, since the first time he glanced towards the beauty, and he couldn't help but grin with the thought. "And Lucy, clearly, for me." Fred joined in chirpily. "From the first hello, she's held my heart, and I'm quite happy to trust her with it." Fred's smile only broadened with the thought, but when Honoria shoved his shoulder, Fred smirked, looking to George. "Well, well..." And when Calum Hood and Luke Hemmings made their way over, Fred raised his eyebrows. "Isn't it obvious, lads? Honoria's got a crush on Ashton. That's why she wants to get back at the filth that is Ingus and Lucinda." Fred smirked, folding his arms over his chest. Looking to Luke, Fred winked. "No offence." As he looked back to Honoria, arching an eyebrow. "My, my. Quite the challenge for a Slytherin." He teased. Looking to Calum with his question, Fred grinned. "Ten, but one will do the trick. We put in extra for future uses."

Luke walked beside Calum, although his thoughts were still on Elise, and he took a moment to carve the memory of her into his mind, because the small exchange they'd shared meant so much more to him than he was sure he could ever verbally express; and even though they exchanged words quite often, this time was different, this time was lighthearted, full of amusement, and Luke thanked his lucky stars that it happened at all. Luke was even more determined now to prove himself to Elise one day, to stand up for things he truly believed in. Biting his lip with the thought, Luke listened to Calum and nodded in agreement. "It'd be a dream come true if I could just... call Elise mine." Luke grinned with the thought, and although it would probably never happen, Luke could still dream - and ensure that Noah never had that opportunity. "I wouldn't want to turn back anyway." Luke teased, and seeing Fred and George with Honoria, Luke grinned. "Oi, oi." Luke greeted, looking to the black pouch and wondering how the Weasleys could afford velvet. Arching an eyebrow, Luke studied the pouch, listening to the conversation. "We all know Honoria is in love with Ashton, mate, no need to tell us." Luke teased. "No offence taken, trust me." Taking the pouch from Calum, Luke studied it. "Ten should be enough."

Isadora grinned with Elise's hurried response, shaking her head in amusement, and despite the wonderful distractions her friends provided, Isadora's thoughts still shifted to Calum Hood, in wonder of how he had this side of him, one that Isadora could admit (to herself, at least) that she'd enjoy being around more often. Toying with her lip at the thought, Isadora looked to Elise. "I'll happily take relaxing." Isadora pointed out with a small smile. "We've had a hectic morning, we might as well shake it off before we have to face up to Umbridge again." Isadora pulled a slight face with the mention of the woman who always seemed to be wearing pink. She was revolting, really, and Isadora wished that she could do something to avoid her lesson. Maybe getting Calum to hex her wouldn't be a bad idea. Smirking at the thought, Isadora pulled away from Ashton to lead the way into the bridge across the valleys, looking into the river below. "Besides, the weather's too good to pass up."

Ashton listened to his friends' back and forth banter, and he couldn't help but smile that dimpled grin, and although his amusement was directed at Isadora and Elise, his thoughts still shifted back to Honoria. Things between the pair seemed to be shifting, and Ashton prayed that it was for the better. There seemed to be less harsh words spoken, replaced by civilised conversations and longing glances on Ashton's behalf. Biting his lip with the thought, Ashton sighed happily as he followed Isadora. "Hey," he spoke eventually. "Honoria told me something... if we see the Hemmings' again, I should put on a limp, and we should watch for something." Ashton frowned, realising now how odd it sounded. "I don't know what, though." Ashton shrugged lightly, looking down to the river, but finding himself excited to spend an hour on the grass, relishing in the sunshine. Squeezing around Elise, Ashton pulled away, coming to the other end of the bridge and seeing a patch of grass on the hill leading down to Hagrid's hut. "How's here, girls?"

Nerissa made the most of the rush of adoration she felt by burying her face into Michael's neck, the warmth and safety his existence provided enough to make her fall even further in love with him than what she already was. Giggling, Nerissa listened to Michael's words, laced with an innocent that anyone could see right through. "You're such a devil." Nerissa teased, her embrace around him tightening as his tightened on her. When Michael shifted to place her on the ground, Nerissa exhaled with relief. "You're such a giant, Michael." Nerissa teased, but nodded. "Much better. I don't feel about five hundred foot." Nerissa teased, gently reaching to take Michael's arm, linking her arm through his. Seeing Michael's head tilt, Nerissa felt her heart jump in her chest, and when he winked, Nerissa was sure she was going to swoon - he was simply beautiful. "Mikey!" Nerissa debated with a laugh, her cheeks brightening. "You swept me off my feet when we first met, you fool." She spoke fondly.

Calum grinned slightly as he watched the group. “You two are far behind if it’s taken you this long to figure that out,” he said easily, though he knew how hard they’d each been working to keep their attractions as a secret amongst their little group. They knew their secrets couldn’t get out, that they could only really trust each other with the knowledge, because they all had something to lose. But, beyond that, they were best friends - they’d always had each other’s backs, and that wasn’t about to change, even if only one of them had been in love with somebody they shouldn’t be in love with. “Ten?” He arched a brow, peering at the bag with curiosity, arching a brow. “Maybe we should have waited until after class to pull our little hex tricks, then.” He grinned to Luke, but he knew neither of them could have waited any longer for that. Those guys deserved what they got. And, remembering Isadora’s reaction, he couldn’t help but grin broader. It’d been worth it.

“Oi,” Honoria complained, her cheeks warming as she swatted quickly at Luke and Calum’s arms before glaring at the twins, then at her traitor friends. “Traitors.” Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. “And none of you can speak on my attraction. The twins here love the Lovelis twins.” She smirked at the Weasley twins, arching a brow almost challengingly. “And, since we’re all outing each other, Calum has a deep love for Isadora and Luke here loves your little sister - Elise, that is.” She reached to grab her pouch back, making a face at the group. “Never air a girl’s love life when she knows your dirty little secrets, too, lads. It’ll always come back to bite you all in the asses.” Smirking proudly, she turned to go find the Hemmings’. “Are you lot coming or not? We have a pair of Hemmings prudes to find.”

George stared in surprise, blinking several times, trying to wrap his head around everything that had just been laid out. “Wait a moment,” he said, watching Honoria as she walked off, “You can’t just drop a bombshell like that then walk off!” He made a face, though, with realizing that his own love had been outed - he should have expected as much, she was a Slytherin, after all. “Rotten little snake.” Despite his words, there was no malice in his tone, and he found himself a little amused. Shrugging, he looked to the others. “Since she’s already outed us, you could always help with the introduction Honoria there promised us.” But, he didn’t think they’d cash in just yet - he was eager to speak to Nancy, of course he was, but he could never pass up on a chance to watch some Slytherin alumni get embarrassed. “As for you-” He looked to Luke, arching a brow, “You’ve got some explaining to do once this is done.”

Elise made a face at Isadora’s reminder of Umbridge. “Oh, I’m not looking forward to dealing with her again,” she said, sighing out, reminded of the last class she’d had to go through. She frowned with the memory, hardly able to believe that she’d punched Luke then, and here she was now, so caught up in how pleasant the conversation with him had been earlier. What if it had been a trick? Had Luke merely been trying to get her guard down to antagonize her more later? Shaking her head to rid herself of the thoughts, she smiled and followed Isadora and listened to Ashton, moving to sit where he’d suggested. “That... Sounds suspicious,” she admitted, making a slight face as she peered over at Ashton, “Do you think Honoria’s up to something to get us in trouble with the Hemmings’?”

Michael couldn’t help but to grin. “Oi, those are painful words, Nerissa!” he teased lightly, trying to pretend to be serious, though he couldn’t help but laugh, unable to even really try to be serious at all. He didn’t mind, though. When it came to Nerissa, he found himself enjoying each and every day that passed, because she was the most amazing person in his life, and she always gave him a reason to smile, a reason to be happy, and he couldn’t thank her enough for that. When she linked her arm through his, he grinned as he walked with her. “Five hundred foot is a bit of an exaggeration,” he teased lightly, nudging her gently as they walked, but he could feel his heart swell as he listened to her. “Yeah?” he asked, curious, but he let his voice take on a teasing tone as he continued to speak, not wanting to put her off or to seem too invested in case she was just playing, “I wish I’d known that before, I wouldn’t be trying so hard now.” He winked teasingly, but he knew that wasn’t true at all; when it came to Nerissa, he’d never stop trying to make her happy or trying to impress her or trying to keep her attention on him. He always wanted her to know how much she meant to him.

Fred listened to Honoria with amusement, folding his arms across his chest as he arched a brow, looking to George and then Luke and Calum. "My, what a great little bonding experience this has been, a few secrets are truly out of the bag now, aren't they?" Although his gaze lingered on Luke for just a little bit too long, wary of the fact that the Slytherin had a crush on his little sister. "We'll discuss Luke's little fondness of Elise later." Fred warned, although Fred was certain he would be sweetened by being introduced to Lucy. The girl was a beauty, and Fred wanted to be the subject of her affections. Following Honoria though, Fred grinned, catching up to the younger girl. "So, how are you going to execute your devilish little plans?"

Luke looked to Honoria with wide, blue eyes. "Honoria!" He complained, avoiding the gaze of Fred and George as a blush crept onto his cheeks. "Bloody hell." Luke groaned, instantly scrubbing at his face with his palms, wishing, for a long moment, that the ground would swallow him up. And although it wasn't a lie, Luke really didn't want Elise's two - very protective - brothers finding out about his adoration for Elise, especially when he was one of the most hated Slytherins in the school. He knew that compared to Elise, Luke was nothing but dirt on the ground, rubble from the very foundation on which the castle was built, and she was of the highest standard of beauty and grace, but goodness, he loved her. He couldn't shout it from the rooftops quite yet, but he really did. Watching as Honoria took the small pouch, Luke turned to look at the girl, before looking at Fred and George, offering a small, dimpled smile, almost retreating into himself when George raised an eyebrow at him. "There isn't much to explain mate, I've been head over heels for Elise for as long as I can remember." Luke shrugged his shoulders, going to follow Honoria to get himself out of the situation as fast as possible. Catching up to one of his best friends, Luke pouted slightly. "I hate you."

Isadora grinned with Elise's words about Umbridge. "She's an evil woman, but she's so, so fun to get mad." Isadora giggled, knowing that her good mood was all thanks to Calum Hood - and although that thought was frightening in itself, Isadora just wanted to enjoy the feeling of elation. Sitting next to Ashton, Isadora watched her friends as she readjusted her socks. "It sounds suspicious, but as long as we try to avoid the Hemmings today, we should be okay, right?" Isadora promised, although she was unsure if that promise would stick. "We shouldn't worry about what those snakes are up to anyway, let them be pathetic." Isadora sighed then, wishing more than anything that it was Calum who was sat beside her.

Ashton exhaled as he sit down, bringing his knees to his chest, his sleeves rolled up to the elbow. Listening to Elise's words carefully, Ashton could feel his heart drop with just the thought of it. Honoria had a light within her, the potential to become good, to defy the stereotype each Slytherin had upon their shoulders. The thought that she would purposefully dim that light hurt Ashton more than he ever could imagine. "I hope not," Ashton murmured, running a hand through his hair. "I mean, the Hemmings are bad enough without Luke, Calum and Honoria to conspire with them." And although his love for Honoria was overwhelming at times, he knew he couldn't let Elise and Isadora know about how he felt for the Slytherin he wanted to call his. "Do you girls think they'll ever turn over a new leaf?" Ashton asked quietly, looking down to the pumpkin patch that was growing by Hagrid's hut, ready for Halloween. "I mean... everyone can be good, right?" Ashton looked to his friends with hope - his healed ankle still needed an explanation, and in his heart, Ashton could only hope that Honoria took pity on him and healed it with a subtle spell.

Nerissa listened to Michael with amusement, biting her lip slightly with the sound of his laugh. The boy had always been a jester, and Nerissa found that his happiness was contagious, in the best way. "I don't think five hunred foot is an exaggeration!" The blonde giggled, keeping a comfortable stride with her arm linked through Michael's, laughing as he nudged her. Nerissa had always found it so incredible, how easily conversation and comfort came when she was beside Michael. He had always been the one that Nerissa could rely on the most. Hearing him speak with his familiar teasing tone, Nerissa smiled, wishing that he knew she wasn't teasing. "Yeah," Nerissa confirmed softly. "From the very moment I met you." She promised quietly, and for a moment, she wondered if Michael would be scared away by that. Clearing her throat, Nerissa looked to Michael, switching back to her playful self, afraid of rejection from the boy she loved.

Honoria smirked over at Luke, arching a brow. “You lot started it,” she reminded easily, “You all should know better than to reveal somebody’s secrets when they’ve got yours tucked away as well.” As she settled her gaze ahead, though, all she could think about was Ashton and how much she wished she could tell him the truth, that her feelings for him didn’t have to be a secret between herself and her friends. She knew that wasn’t possible, though - it was bad enough that the Weasley twins knew, the last thing she needed was for Ashton to know as well, especially when he’d already loudly voiced his opinions about her and her friends. Focusing on Fred, she shrugged. “I’m gonna pretend I stole them from First Years, so they can’t be traced to any of us, and offer them to Luke’s parents.”

George offered an amused look to his twin, certain this entire situation would make for a fun time - but, for now, he tried to focus on the current objective of getting back at the Hemmings adults. Tried, but his thought kept going to Nancy, a certain eagerness filling him with the knowledge that he’d get to meet Nancy soon, that he’d get to be properly introduced to her - he’d get to talk to her, get to relish in her presence, get to enjoy the sound of her voice as she, hopefully, spoke to him. Despite himself, he could feel a grin spreading its way across his features with just the thought, though he quickly moved to follow the others, joining at his brother’s side. Peering over at the rest of the group, he focused and arched a brow. “Are we all absolutely certain that this kind of trick will work?” he asked.

Calum shook his head, at least relieved that he didn’t have to deal with any older siblings - at least that he knew of. For all he knew, maybe Isadora did have some older sibling somewhere, just waiting or an opportunity to kick the ass of whatever guy showed any sort of attention to their sister, anybody who fancied her. Trying to not think about that - especially when he didn’t know if Isadora had any siblings or not and he definitely should know (he felt guilty for being unaware already), - he focused on his friends, arching a brow when he heard the plan and George’s question. He hummed in thought before nodding slightly. “Luke’s parents have no reason to not believe Honoria,” he said easily, “Normally, one Slytherin would never cross another.” But these were special circumstances. “And the fact that Honoria will be claiming that she stole them will just make it that much more enticing to them, especially if she says she stole them from First Years.”

Elise listened quietly to her friends, though she honestly wasn't sure what to think. While she hoped and wished that Luke could be a better person, she knew her wishful thinking came from her secret adoration for the boy - and she couldn't bring herself to say anything positive about him to her friends when she knew her reasoning was selfish and any proof that there was anything good within him had yet to present itself. "I don't know," she eventually said, lifting her shoulders in a weak shrug, "I think even thinking that is setting ourselves up for disappointment."

Michael couldn't help but laugh as he listened to Nerissa and he shook his head slightly, highly amused by her words and antics - Nerissa always had a way of making him laugh, though, of bringing a smile to his features and a light to his life. "Sorry to disappoint you, love, but it is definitely an exaggeration," he teased with a broad grin, watching her, taking her in, just enjoying being in her presence. And, hearing her laugh set his heart aflame in a way that only Nerissa ever could and, watching her, he could feel his grin softening to a fond, happy smile, his gaze never really leaving her - not that he ever wanting to tear his gaze away from her in the first place. "I'm really glad to hear that," he told her quietly, watching her a long while, "Probably more than I could ever say."

Fred offered the same amused look to George in return, before folding his arms across his chest and focusing on the three younger Slytherins in front of him. "My, this does make quite the interesting scenario." He teased. "A Slytherin betraying their own. Never heard of that one, have we Georgie?" Although he was hopeful that Draco Malfoy would one day find the courage to betray his snail of a father. "Now... you lot have to hold up your end of the bargain, remember." Fred warned, half serious. He was eager now, for everything to be exectued - their charms had never been wrong yet. "So, how are you going to approach them? They're here on Ministry business, big stuff." Fred looked between the three. "Should we charm Luke to look bruised?" Fred grinned then. "Of course they'll worry over their precious, youngest son."

Luke listened to Calum and Honoria's explanation of their little plot, not at all minding that his parents would be hexed. He was certain that if it wasn't for them and their ridiculously unfair expectations, he'd already be with Elise by now. "Absolutely certain. And besides," Luke cut across then. "Knowing that the sweets were stolen from First Years would encourage them to eat them straight away." Luke pointed out. "So it's not just us that gets a good show, everyone gets to see." Luke grinned with the thought, hoping that Elise would be first in line to see that his parents got the karma that was coming for them one way or another. Realising he probably looked a little too eager for all of this to happen, Luke pursed his lips together to silence himself, and looking to Fred and George, Luke raised an eyebrow. "I don't think you two realise how lucky you are to have a family as wonderful as yours." He spoke softly then, shrugging his shoulders. "Are we doing this, or not?"

Isadora listened to her friends carefully, nodding along with their words as she stared out beyond the pumpkin patch, to the lake that housed the giant squid. "Honestly," Isadora chimed in, looking to Elise and Ashton then. "We are setting ourselves up for disappointment. They've been raised like royalty." Isadora leaned back on her hands against the grass, the cool air causing her to thank the heavens she decided to wear a cardigan today. "Honoria, Calum and Luke see us every day, the Hemmings could easily use them as pawns to get to those they don't find worthy of attending Hogwarts." Isadora frowned then. "We must stick together and keep our distance." She looked to the hand she'd injured that morning, sighing as she curled it into a fist, mentally thanking whoever healed her.

Ashton tightened his arms around his legs as the wind blew around them, and he couldn't help but wonder if Honoria was conspiring against the Hemmings. The family were beneficial to the wizarding world, a long line of purebloods, they held influence - he was nothing more than a mudblood, something to be looked down upon, and no words or actions could ever change the fact that Honoria was far too good for him. "We might as well face the fact that they could run this school if they wanted to," Ashton pointed out with a weak smile, trying to hide his hurt. "With Professors like Umbridge around as well, we don't stand a chance." He exhaled with that thought, running a hand through his dirty blond hair. He knew he was being completely selfish, wanting Honoria for himself; two worlds that were as far apart as they could get. "I dunno. Maybe we should just stand up for ourselves once and for all."

Nerissa looked to Michael once more, her cheeks heating up as she realised that his gaze was firmly on her, and she wondered just what was going through his mind. Michael was a jokester, but he certainly wasn't stupid, and she knew that there was something hiding behind those eyes that she couldn't quite place her finger on. "What're you thinking?" Nerissa asked quietly; realising that whenever she focused on Michael, the world around them simply remained irrelevant.

George grinned slightly to Fred and shook his head. “Right you are, Fred,” he agreed, “Never thought I’d see a day that something like this would happen.” But, it was exciting, different, and it certainly gave them something new to do. Plus, he could admit, it wasn’t the worst scenario in the world to get to know the trio; things could have been much different and much worse, he was sure. Still, as he heard Luke speak, he blinked, looking to the younger boy, wondering what he meant. Would his parents not care if he showed up, bruised and battered? Would they really not worry about him at all? “Is that right, mate?” he asked, arching a brow as he watched before he nudged him, “Good thing you’ve got us in your lives now, then.”

Honoria shook her head as she listened to Fred and George, but she didn’t comment on the suggestions. Perhaps it was better that the twins thought all parents had love for their children, a need to protect them. She knew not all Slytherin parents were as awful as hers, Luke’s, and Calum’s were, and those that were good didn’t deserve to be thought of as less-than just because there were bad apples around. “Yeah, we’re doing this,” she told Luke eventually, looking to him for a moment, “Let’s get going.” Turning, she began to walk to try to find the Hemmings’, hopeful it wouldn’t be too difficult, wanting to get it done, because Ashton deserved justice.

Calum listened to Fred and George with amusement and shook his head slightly. “We’re going to hold up our end of things, don’t you worry about that,” he assured, settling his attention ahead as they walked, though he was a little amused that Fred and George didn’t seem to fully trust them yet. And, who could blame them? With their bloodlines, their families, and everything they’d done since coming to Hogwarts, it was a wonder the twins were even giving them a chance to prove themselves at this point. Shaking his head to rid himself of the thoughts, he set his gaze ahead as they walked. “Now we’ve just gotta find those two. Shouldn’t be too hard, I’m sure, since they’re likely causing more trouble.” The sooner they got this done, the safer Isadora would be from Luke’s parents.

Elise watched the others as they spoke, and she knew they both had good points, but she still wished it wasn’t the case, that it wasn’t true. She wished she could trust Luke, that she could love him without feeling so guilty and awful about it. “And how do you suggest we stand up for ourselves?” she asked, looking over at Ashton for a few long moments, “Anything we’ve tried hasn’t worked and they just lash out twice as hard.” Sighing, she shook her head and scrubbed at her face, frowning to herself. “Let’s just talk about something else. Talking about them isn’t going to make things better or easier.”

Michael smiled slightly when he heard Nerissa’s question, and he watched her for a few minutes before he eventually shook his head slightly. “Just about how happy you make me,” he told her gently, honestly, his gaze running over her features, always so easily amazed by her. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever known, and he wanted her in his life, as a part of his life, always. Grinning, though, he leaned forward, watching her still, taking her in, just enjoying the sight of her, the calmness her presence brought him. “What about you, hm?” he asked, arching a brow, curious, unable to even bother to try to hide it, and he wondered how she was so perfect. “What are you thinking?”