Olivia Baxtor sits at a table, her books neatly stacked at her right side, her quill poised in her left hand as she glances over an open book. She looks to the right, then neatly — and slowly — inscribes something in blue ink on her parchment. Taking notes is a long process for the girl, as she stops and fixes any smudges or blotches on the parchment with a small rag, and then rubs bits of ink off of her hand. Oh, the plights of being left-handed! Olivia sighs and glances over the book, and the process begins again as she starts writing something else onto the parchment.

For once on his own – but how many people want, more than anything, to accompany someone to the library? – Evan Geroff walks into the room. A bag of books is hung over his shoulder, one hand clutching the strap as he pauses a number of steps past the doorway to look around. Particularly, he scans the room for a familiar face, search stopping as he spots Olivia. The standing still also stops, as he begins to walk in her direction.

Happening to glance up, Olivia sits up a bit straighter, arching her back to stretch it a bit. A glance left brings Evan into her vision. “Hello, Evan–” she greets, a bit loudly, and her hand flies up to cover her mouth. She shoots a hesitant glance at the librarian, who doesn’t seem to have moved at all since Olivia‘s entrance and cracks a bit of a closed-mouthed smile at him, rubbing at her left hand, almost as if out of habit.

“Hello, Olivia,” Evan replies once he is next to her, grinning at his fellow third year, perhaps a bit more even at her slip, but it’s friendly. Placing a hand on the back of the closest chair, he offers her a shallow bow to go alongside his greeting, before asking, “May I sit here?”

“Of course,” Olivia answers, sounding more polite than enthusiastic about his entrance. Then, when does Olivia sound excited? The girl moves her books a bit closer to her side of the tabel. She smiles at him. “What have you come to work on?” she asks congenially, still rubbing at the new ink spot on her pinky finger, as if it is poison.

Evan Geroff pulls the chair out, then sits down and sets the bag down on the floor beside him. “I brought books for Defense Against the Dark Arts, and for Ancient Runes,” he replies, before diving down to pull out two books. These are placed on the table before him, slightly off to the side, as he looks back at Olivia, voice hushed but still friendly. “What are you in the midst of?”

“History of Magic,” Olivia answers happily. “It’s my favorite subject.” It requires no getting messy. Of course, Olivia doesn’t mention this, and glances back down at her book, dabbing up a bit of ink that has just dropped onto the open page. Ah, not a trace of it, she has caught it in time. “Are you good at Ancient Runes? I have trouble sometimes, understanding it.” She sighs and glances at the next book on her pile, which is, coincidentally, her Ancient Runes book.

“History?” Well, to each his own. “My favorite is Defense. Ancient Runes isn’t bad, though; I’m doing all right.” Which isn’t to say that Evan hasn’t had to put any extra study into it, but this Slytherin could almost be mistaken for a Ravenclaw in that aspect. Without really thinking about it, he pulls his book on Runes over in front of himself, not opening it but idly fingering the edges. “It’s just learning another language, but I’ve never tried that before. I imagine it gets easier once you get used to reading and making them. I do enjoy theorizing about their creation, I was hoping to read some more on that.”

To say Olivia is a bad student would be unkind, but one could never assert that she is a good one. She rests her chin in her hand for a moment, brushing her loose hair over her shoulder. “What language are you learning? It must be hard to learn another language.” If one were to look closely, it would be obvious that her books are set up alphabetically. She closes the book she has open gingerly and moves it to the left of her parchment and places the parchment atop it, revealing a clean sheet of parchment. Her quill sits neatly in her inkwell as she replaces her chin in the palm of her hand and listens for Evan’s answer.

Evan Geroff may be quite observant about some things, but he hasn’t yet bothered to observe Olivia’s books too closely. He hasn’t even focused on his own since sitting down, with the exception of unconsciously tracing lines on the one – it’s a good thing there’s no quill in his hand. “Oh, I only meant the Runes. All of the grammar and rules and things for writing them. It looks like it can become quite intricate, though we won’t be doing much of that for a while.” Here, he pauses for a moment of thought. “If it was offered, though, I would learn Latin. All the ancient scholars used to study it, and everyone who knew anything could read it.”

“Aren’t we sort of learning latin by memorizing all these spells?” Olivia suggests, hopefully. She pulls the Runes book out of the pile. “I suppose Runes rather are like another language. They’re difficult to learn, though. So, if that’s what learning a language is like, I’d better not try.” She pauses. “You mean everybody learned to speak latin a long time ago?” Olivia balks at the idea, trying to imagine juggling two languages in her head. Clearly the idea of it escapes her. This is not to say Olivia is not an intelligent girl, but her learning style and the tasks that the school put her up to, well… they do not mesh. Her focus is not on her book, however, though she does open it to the bookmark she has carefully placed into it, she does not even look at the book.

Evan Geroff likewise opens his book, to no particular page, more just in copy of Olivia in case she plans on returning to her studies; he won’t look quite as much as though he intends to keep her from them. Not that he is terribly worried about it, either, his answer neither rushed nor short. “We are, aren’t we? Not very much of it, thouh; at least not to the extent that I could pick up an old book and read it.” At the second question, he nods. “Everybody. All studies were done in it.. Of course, at one point it was the regular language as well, even before that. Someone told me once that other languages still use it, and I wish to travel some, so I imagine it would be practical as well, wouldn’t it? One wouldn’t want to get lost.”

“Travelling would be so neat,” Olivia comiserates. “To see all the places that we learn about in our books.” Her mind wanders temporarily to a story of a Goblin Crusade that took place in China. “I should imagine, though, that it would be beneficial to have some knowledge of the language spoken where one is travelling to.” She nods slowly. “Have you ever been anywhere very far away? I haven’t been anywhere outside of England. We did visit the sea once, though.” Olivia thinks on this, and for a moment, she smiles, before remembering that her brother had ruined the trip for her.

Evan Geroff shakes his head quickly. “Never outside of England. Mother has – Father took her when they were still in school – and she’s told me stories about it. I’m sure I would very much enjoy it, and there would be so much to learn. To actually see it all instead of just read about it!” He stops for a moment, eyes shining with the thought. “Where would you go if you could? Did you like the sea?”

“Well, I did at first. I thought it was splendid. Well, until Christian started being a pain.” She sighs. “He pushed me into the sand just as a wave came up onto the shore, and I was soaked.” A pause. “My dress was a fright afterwards. And my dad only laughed, though Mum wasn’t pleased.” Olivia sighs. “I hope we can go back some time. Maybe… without Christian.” She sighs. “I don’t know where I’d go, though. There are so many places. I hear the muggles like to go to Rome or Venice. Or Paris…”

“I’ve never thought dresses were made well for swimming in. Or doing much of anything in; I do feel sorry for my aunts in that respect.” “Is Christian your brother? They should organize a school trip. Wouldn’t that be fun? I’m sure there are plants or animals or something we could look at there, so it’s not without learning.” Oh, the possibilities, though. The most interesting aspect of that, for Evan, might not be the learning. “Venice would be splendid I’m sure. Did you know it’s in the water?”

“Christian is my older brother. He’s a fifth year.” She sighs a bit and leans back against her chair carefully, smoothing her robes down. “He’s horrible. He’s always messing up my things.” She pauses. “Professor Morgan took us on a trip to Diagon Alley last year. It was quite fun, except that I was covered with soot the whole time. It wasn’t a very pleasant feeling.” Olivia shrugs, as if that one fact, for once, doesn’t matter. “I wish we could take trips more often. Though I do like it here. At least Christian can’t bother me in my commonroom.”

“Perhaps I’ll suggest various places.” No question, of course, that the teachers would listen to what Evan suggested to them – he might find himself surprised if he does try. “It’s nice to have at least a somewhat private area, isn’t it? The dorms are good for that. Much of the castle probably could be.”

“That’s true. Our house isn’t big enough to stay away from him well enough. I have to share a room with my sisters, and his room is just across the hall.” She shakes her head a bit. “He won’t leave me alone. He’s always moving my things or taking them.” Olivia closes her book again, realizing that she certainly isn’t going to be able to focus on her Runes work now. “Do you have any siblings? They can be so… frustrating, sometimes. I do think you should suggest some, though. I doubt the teachers would listen to me.” A pause. “Since I don’t get the best marks.” A blush spreads over her face at this admission. She isn’t one to admit her own difficulties in school.

Evan Geroff hesitates before replying, eyes lowering to search whatever page has remained open before him, then turning away from it, half sideways in his chair, to rest an arm on the table and more completely face Olivia. “You did fine the other day.” He shrugs. “I will suggest something, and we can go exploring together. I think my siblings all get along fairly well, but we don’t have much choice. I have one sister and three brothers, and my four youngest aunts and uncles live with us. There are always other people around too, students living with us for the summer or our cousins visiting or people that Mother knows, they’ll sometimes bring their children.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of people. How do you get any privacy?” Olivia looks stunned at the idea of so many people being around all the time. And this boy is so calm! “I’ve only three siblings, and I get so frustrated with them, too, because they’re so messy. Especially sharing a room with my two sisters.” She sighs a bit. “Do you enjoy so many people being around? It must be rather stressful.”

Evan Geroff shrugs as though it doesn’t really matter. “I grew up with it. My aunts and uncles are all older than me, so they were around when I was still a baby. If I need privacy I can always go into my room, though it’s shared, or outside, and except for the little ones they’ll respect it usually.” He glances around him at the library, that being all he can presently see of the school, and smiles slightly. “This is the most privacy I’ve had, here, and I do like it – but I don’t think I’d want much more.”

“Wow, I can’t imagine that,” Olivia comments, leaning back in her chair as she sets her quill down carefully. “I suppose you must like all of them really well. Better than I like my siblings, anyway.” Olivia shrugs a little bit at this. “How many of them are here at Hogwarts?” she asks, curiously. After all, she has all of her siblings at the school already.

Evan Geroff nods, offering a slight smile at the comment. “I do. We have our times, but who doesn’t?” He shrugs. “You don’t get along very well? None of my siblings are at Hogwarts yet; it will be a couple years still before the next oldest arrives.” To bad, really – he’ll be the only one not to have a sibling at school almost the entire time.

“Well…” Olivia starts, then pauses. “You can have my siblings. Sometimes I wish I had been born an only child.” She sighs a bit and shrugs. “It’s nothing, really. I like being at school, because I can stay away from them, and I don’t get picked on as much.” For all that Olivia seems bothered by her family, she doesn’t appear to be suffering all that much. “Do you wish your siblings would be at school sooner?”

“I can’t imagine that,” Evan admits, not sure how else to respond. “Though I sometimes admire people who don’t mind time alone.” .. “I wouldn’t mind if they were here; it would be nice to share some of this with them, explore things, spend time together. Mostly, though, I would like to see more of the little ones as they’re growing up – and it wouldn’t work out too well to have them here.”

“No, that’s true,” Olivia agrees, smiling just a small bit to Evan. “I guess I don’t really want to be an only child. Helen and Gertrude are nice enough at home.” The Hufflepuff shrugs her shoulders a bit, pushing them from her mind as she gazes across the table at her Slytherin yearmate. “I suppose it all depends on how you grow up.” Olivia appears to be rather thoughtful about this. “Oh… I should be studying,” Olivia realizes, looking over her now-dry parchment and closed books, perhaps a little disappointed at realizing her original reason for being here.

“I’m sure that does make a large difference.” Evan chuckles then – quietly, since it’s a library. “I hadn’t intended to distract you so. I really should look at these,” he motions to the two books beside him, “as well.”

“Alright,” Olivia agrees, smiling a little at him. She slowly opens her Runes book again, glancing up at him every once in a while. Part of her can’t believe that someone is even sitting with her, and doesn’t appear to be bothered by her… well, quirks. Olivia knows that she isn’t exactly like her peers. Who knows, perhaps this could be the start of a nice, long friendship. All Olivia can do is hope.

Evan Geroff pulls his own Runes book toward him, opening for the first time to a specific page. He, perhaps, is much more used to being accepted and carrying around with large crowds, and his full concentration is given to the lesson, finding it not the least unusual to be sitting here with someone.. even Olivia. And, who knows, he might not mind making a friend outside of his usual pack.

The Potions classrooms stands in its normal, ordinary state; which is to say, surprisingly clean. Burn marks have been charmed away, stains vanished, the sulphur smells cleared – all signs of the previous class has all but vanished. However, unlike most classes, today, the front table stands completely empty except for a small stack of parchment: term test results for the third years, ready to be redistributed back to their owners. Near the stack of parchment stands Karina Sedgewick, her arms crossed, but a smile on her face, waiting for her third years to enter her classroom.

Matty Matherson leads a small gaggle of Ravenclaw boys and girls into the potions classroom. As usual, the distribution of new grades brings out their best spirits, and Matty is personally confident of his own excellent results. A pair of other Ravenclaws whisper eagerly about how well they hope to have done.

Olivia Baxtor comes in holding her sack neatly in her hand. She strides to her usual seat — third one from the edge in the front row — and begins to pull her things out of her bag and setting them up neatly. She smiles a bit at the students filling in around her, ensuring that everything is set up just right in her usual way.

With his schoolbag strung over his shoulder and a handful of other third year Slytherins around him, Evan Geroff makes his way into the Potions classroom. The stack of parchment is quickly pointed out by a taller girl toward the front, and the general whispering noise-level from the groups rises, though Evan himself merely glances at them before continuing on to find a seat. Further in a few of the Slytherins disperse to find tables, only that same girl and one other boy remaining with Evan. He pulls out a stool for the girl, then takes a seat next to her, clearly not caring when the other boy gives him a challenging look and claims the seat on her other side. Instead, he turns his attention to the rest of the classroom, offering Karina a shallow bow before sitting down himself.

Thaddeus Livingston less confident, but hardly showing it in his demeanor, the Gryffindor boy takes his seat. He’s never been one for potions and has embarrassed himself plenty in the course of the past, no doubt in front of many of these blokes. In the most disorganized and disheveled of manners, he sets up his own things.

“Good afternoon,” Karina address her students, sounding cheerful. “Please put away your books and supplies if you have them out. We won’t be needing them today!” She pauses for a brief moment to let a few more expressive students let out cheers. “But, before that, I would like to say a few words regarding your term tests. As you will remember, last class was the practical unit test for our unit on Infusions, Distillations, and Essences. I have organized my notes and assigned grades for each of you, and the results are here.” She pats the stack of parchement gently. “I am very pleased with the results, overall. Every one of you achieved an Acceptable grade or higher. Some of you answered my questions and performed the practical elements of the test so well that I cannot find fault with your work. I would like to thank all of you for your efforts!” With that, she takes out her wand from her sleeve, and gives it a light wave. Pieces of folded parchment suddenly take flight, fluttering towards their owners like moths.

Matty Matherson grabs his, as do a set of other Ravenclaws. While most of the students in their group look delighted by their results, Matty‘s face falls. Only an acceptable? He did better than that!

Olivia Baxtor stops short as she straightens up the supplies on her desk. What, no potion brewing today? Olivia catches her paper. Oh, a mediocre grade. She sighs a bit at the parchmet before turning it face-down and packing her supplies back away neatly and setting her bag aside. Part of her can’t help but be disappointed that they will not be doing any brewing just that day, but Olivia is certain that Professor Sedgewick will make it worth their while.

Thaddeus Livingston lets his come to him, only gently taking it in his hand. “Ugh…” He moans, dreading the moment when his eyes meet his… spectacular grade? He perks up, glancing around him to see if anyone notices that there’s been some sort of horrible mistake. Since when does studying pay off?! Suddenly he feels as light as a feather, his lips curving into a catlike grin as he beams. He smiles a little to the others in a smug little manner. Hmm.

Evan Geroff reaches up out to grab one of the parchments once it is clear the object is headed for him. He unfolds it, a faint, satisfied, yet also unsurprised smile appearing on his face as he sees the grade. Pleased though he may be, he does not linger looking at it, merely slipping the test results into his bag which has been placed on the floor beside him, then turning curiously to the front to his what it is they will be doing – he hadn’t bothered to take anything out yet. Beside him, the girl pauses in the midst of returning books and other materials to her bag in order to look at her test grade, then ignores the rest of the supplies while sharing scores with her other male companion.

“Today,” Karina continues, “There will be a class treat for your good work. Please leave your things here, grab your cloaks, and follow me.” She grabs her own cloak and wraps herself in it quickly, before heading out the classroom door.

Matty Matherson slumped to the back of the Ravenclaw gaggle, feeling depressed over his low mark as the group follow Karina. Most of the others, though, are excitedly chirping over E and O grades.

“Must we really leave our things here?” Olivia laments and sighs, following the teacher out of the room, trying to stay towards the front of the group. She glances around at the other students as they all walk outside. She pulls her robes tighter around herself, somehow wishing she’d worn an extra sweater underneath her robes and rubs her legs together a bit as they come to a stop in a clearing on the campus. Every bit of her wants to ask what they’re doing outside, but she keeps her mouth shut, choosing not to question her house head.

Abandoned by his previous companions – one may guess by the other boy’s wishes, if not actually seeing him lead her away as the journey started – Evan Geroff pulls on his cloak and, also somewhere near the front of the class, follows the professor out. Lacking a gang of Slytherins around him now, he makes his attempt at finding other travel companions, and soon finds himself near Olivia. “This is exciting,” he offers to her, the remark somewhere between a simple statement and a question. “You aren’t cold, are you? You may use my cloak, if so, I don’t mind the cool weather much.”

Thaddeus Livingston strolls along, still smiling broadly to Olivia, the random victim of his joy. There is a little hop in his step. He lets his cloak flow freely after him, not much put off by the chilly weather but quite liking it. The boy’s head is in the clouds.

Karina Sedgewick watches as the students gather around her, some looking cold in their cloaks. The Professor, however, seem unfazed. “We will be getting some exercise, soon!” she promises. “Now, as you may remember from your tests, Infusion of Wormwood is an ingredient in used in the variant of Calming Draught we have been in studying. You may also remember the other ingredients in that Potion. I have hidden, in this clearing, all of the ingredients required for this Potion. So, if you will kindly form groups of four, you may begin your search. Each group finding all of the ingredients will win a prize.” Although the term “scavenger hunt” is not mentioned, this is clearly what it is.

“Oh, thank you,” Olivia murmurs quietly, offering a small smile to Evan. She takes from him the offered cloak and wraps it, too, around herself, trying not to visibly shiver. She glances around as many of the students group up quickly and smiles at Evan. “I suppose we should group together, so I can give your cloak back when we’re done.” She spots just one more person and takes a step over toward him, as if inviting him to join into their group. Although, the rest of the students have already paired off, so it seems as if there are no other options.

Thaddeus Livingston smiles to Olivia and Evan, “Uhmm…” He motions a finger between himself and the two, “Mind if I join your group?” He looks around hesitantly, “Doesn’t seem to be any others that aren’t full… …” He pouts, as if begging the pair even though Olivia seemed to be planning to invite him anyway by the looks of it. “I got an E on the test…” He offers, as if it were more of a selling point.

“My pleasure,” Evan responds to Olivia, both in recognition of her taking the cloak and suggesting they team up. “I’m sure I remember the ingredients; would you object to winning the prize?” Now without a cloak himself, he resettles his robes around himself, perhaps just a bit tightly but for the most part successfully ignoring the cold. They’ll be running around soon anyway; keeping that in mind does wonders. As Thaddeus speaks up Evan turns to look at him, then waves him over. “Of course; you look quick enough.”

Karina Sedgewick looks on happily as the children organize themselves. Slowly, she shifts away from the center of the clearing, as children start to scramble to and fro, looking under shrubs, under rocks, in the trees.

“I’ve never won anything before,” Olivia says, in all earnestness. “It would be very neat to do so!” The girl smiles a rare wide smile, her crooked teeth coming visible, before it fades again, as if she is somehow ashamed at the disarray of her own teeth. “I think I remember the ingredients to it. I wonder if we’ll have to brew it after,” the girl muses thoughtfully, seeming to somehow get lost in the mass of robes and cloaks on her figure.

Thaddeus Livingston claps his hands together, his expression, while still happy, molding with that of a lost one. “I… don’t remember them.” He states cooling, blinking a little, “A reminder would be… quite good.” He glances around the area, scanning, before looking back to the two. He’s not at all embarrassed, accustomed to… not knowing much.

Evan Geroff returns Olivia’s smile, grinning at her before he turns to scan the clearing. “There must have been something,” he replies, while starting toward a stand of trees. “But if not – let’s try this way, first – then you can start today.” Speeding up a bit, simply assuming the others will follow, again addressing Thaddeus. “Oh, well; perhaps we can give you a list while we walk. Or simply look for plants and things that don’t belong where they are.. Why don’t you run and check that far tree, we’ll look under the near ones here.”

Thaddeus Livingston lets out a very sarcastic, “Ha. Ha. Ha.” To Evan, “I believe I have a vague recollection, I guess I’ll just make due.” He smiles, shaking his head a little – not at all offended or put off, it seems. He glances around, beginning to look for ingrediants, sighing.

Olivia Baxtor nods and starts walking towards a group of shrubs. “I think I’ve found one!” she calls, kneeling to pluck up a group of plants and examine them. Feeling them quiver, she drops them quickly with a gasp, finding that they are not, in fact, plants, but actually small animals who are merely shaped like plants. “No! Not one of them!” She calls, her voice sounding a bit strained. The girl strides quickly around the other side of the bushes and looks around, biting her lip, feeling a bit queazy as she tries to find the relevant plants.

Karina Sedgewick chuckles to herself as her students focus on their task almost as hard as if they were brewing a potion. Her own Potion teacher would have laughed at her teaching methods; but, she truly feels that the break is well deserved. “Careful there, Miss Baxtor!” she calls out.

Evan Geroff arches an eyebrow at Thaddeus. “By all means, don’t go off on your own. We’re only looking for good hiding places; and as I said, we’ll discuss..” Whatever he intended to discuss, the Gryffindor is quickly dismissed as Olivia calls over to him. “No? Here – there’s a low branch that looks like it has something hanging off it, and there’s a promising dip in the ground over there – would you like to crawl or climb?” He pauses to give her a small chance to think, after adding, “I’ll take the other.”

Olivia Baxtor pauses for a moment, weighing which would dirty her robes less. “I’ll climb,” she says in a decicisive tone and starts towards the tree, swerving wide around the spot where she’d found the plant-like creatures, and stops at the tree, gingerly holding onto the lowest branch and trying to pull herself up onto said branch. The spectacle is a sight to see as the girl struggles and struggles, finally managing her way onto the first branch and clinging there. “I… I think I’m stuck,” Olivia calls, refusing to let go of the branch she has strong hold of.

As soon as she claims the climb, Evan Geroff begins to run toward his spotted dip in the ground. As Olivia begins to climb, he has spotted something else about the dip worth checking out – a patch of taller grass and plant that, in the colder weather, is bending over to hide the ground beneath it. Fallen onto hands on knees he begins to search, and waits just a second after Olivia calls to turn around, something dangling from his hand. “But you’re nearly there!” he calls back, beginning to run back toward her. “Hold on – I’ll help, and then I wish you to look at something.”

Thaddeus Livingston peers up, moving just under Olivia in case of a fall, “Just take deep breathes, and don’t panic! We can probably catch you if you fall!” He calls up, glancing around for Sedgewick. Reminding the girl of the possibility of falling might not be the greatest idea… but the breathing thing… that was gold, right?

“Oh–okay, well… take your time,” Olivia calls. Ever the picture of composure, Olivia is striving to remain calm and collected. “You might catch me?” Her voice rises a notch in pitch and and volume. “I’m never coming doooooown!” Olivia‘s composure is completely gone as she clings more tightly to the branch in question, only glancing down to respond to Thaddeus, and instantly regretting it. Whose idea was it to climb the tree, again?

Karina Sedgewick watches as Olivia attempts to climb the tree, then dangles from it like a Christmas ornament. Her first reaction was a smile, thinking back to her own childhood days, wanding around with her brothers causing trouble, dangling from trees, swimming in swift moving streams, cartwheeling about in the fields, chasing sheep, just to name a few. Her second reaction was to think that she should have mentioned something about trees. Or rather, that students shouldn’t be climbing them. “Miss Baxtor!” she calls out, her usually quiet voice carrying across the clearing. “Please come down from there!” It was a request, more than a command. Karina obviously hasn’t noticed the problems with Miss Baxtor and the tree: namely, that she can’t get down from it.

Arriving at the tree, Evan rolls his eyes at the Gryffindor. “She shan’t fall, not if I have to climb up there myself and hold her up.” With that, he peers up to the first branch. “Hear that, Olivia? Now, I’m going to reach up toward the branch, and Thaddeus here will remain on the other side-” he shoots a pointed look at Thaddeus here, “-And I want you to try and shift your wait so you’re sitting. Grab my hand if that will help.”

Thaddeus Livingston does as Evan instructs, only to help Olivia. “You’re going to be fine, Olivia.” He coos, mouthing out, ‘She’s afraid!’ to their Potions teacher and shaking his head before turning his attention once more to the girl.

“Okay, okay, here,” Olivia takes a deathgrip on Evan’s hand as she tries to sit up. Slipping a little, she shrieks and grabs on again momentarily, before giving it a second try. She slowly sits up, glancing down at the two boys below her, breathing heavily. and sighing a bit. “How am I supposed to get down now?” she asks, glancing down and feeling even higher than before, which causes her breath to catch in her throat.

A frown creeps onto Karina‘s face, as Olivia’s troubles become clear. Quickly, she draws out her wand, ready to break Olivia’s fall with a bit of magic. “Are you alright, Miss Baxtor?” she says as she makes her way to the tree. A small crowd has gathered, as some students break off from their searching to watch the struggle. “Do you need help?”

Evan Geroff blinks as Olivia takes a hard grip on his hand, but doesn’t pull back, holding his arm as steady as possible to help her. “Now, none of that,” he murmurs as she screams, then smiles as she manages to sit up. “See, you did it? Now – do you see that branch to your right, just a little higher? I want you reach for it – and maybe check out what’s hanging, while you’re there – but reach for it, and hold on tight, and swing from it.” He doesn’t seem to have noticed Karina’s arrival, with other students beginning to come over as well – it’s all just a crowd. “Go on and try it, I’m right beneath you.. and I promise you won’t get hurt.”

Thaddeus Livingston simply stands at the ready, watching the scene unfold in silence.

“No, no, no, I’m not getting the thing in the tree, I’m going to fall!” Olivia responds, shaking her head quickly, her voice tense and shaking a bit. “Just get me down!” She glances around, seeing no faces, just a lot of people. Oh great, people are looking at her, and she’s cold and frightened. So far, this is not a good class for Olivia.

“Miss Baxtor, please try to remain calm,” Karina says to the girl, sounding concerned. She gently pushes a few students away from the tree as she steps closer, her wand held at the ready. “Please, just hold still,” she tells the girl in the tree, as she gives her and a neat swish and flick in her direction.

Evan Geroff glances up at Olivia, then other to the branch he has been trying to get her to reach for. “Don’t get the thing. Just lean enou-” Pause. Oh, the Professor is here. So Evan falls silent, watching Karina, pressing himself closer into the tree to stay both out of Karina’s way and semi-under Olivia. Within catching distance anyway, because she’s clearly scared, and he’s had experience dealing with frightened siblings in his life.

As Olivia notices the teacher, she finds herself floating up in the air, and her eyes get still wider as she gets higher into the air. “Oh, I haaaaate flying!” the girl shrieks as she pulls her knees to her chest, burying her head in her arms. “Please get me down,” she begs into her knees, trying not to cry out of sheer fright.

Thaddeus Livingston frowns, offering the obviously-terrified Olivia a sympathetic expression. He gulps a little, his eyes drifting away towards the bushes where she had been chasing about little creatures earlier. He takes a step back away from the crowd, feeling as though one more person would just add to it… and she needed air… As he stares down on the ground, a something triggers in his mind and he reaches down to pluck the small, easily missed shrub. “Hey I got one…” He muses quietly to himself, before standing and looking back to the group, his concerned expression returning…

Although confident that the Professor will give Olivia a safe and gentle landing, Evan still reaches his hands up toward the girl. His intent, should nothing stop him, is to get a strong grip on her both arms with each of his so that she might feel just a bit safer and less frightened as she descends. Ignoring everyone else around, he keeps his gaze focused on Olivia. “You’re safe, Olivia,” he murmurs, though loud enough for her to hear if she pays attention. “You’re safe, Professor Sedgewick is going to bring you down, I’ll hold onto you, don’t worry now..”

“Try to stay calm,” Karina says to the girl, as she curses herself for her clumsiness. Gently, she uses her wand to guide the girl back to the ground. As soon as Olivia is back on the ground, she tucks her wand away, and hurries towards the Hufflepuff. “It’s alright. Everything is fine now,” she says soothingly, sitting on the ground beside her, hugging her close. “There, there…”

Olivia Baxtor looks up and around at her surroundings now. Too many people around. FInally she releases a breath of relief, though, feeling the ground firmly underneath her. “Thank you,” She whispers, glancing around. Breathing deeply for a few moments, the girl stands up, quickly brushing herself off of any dirt or debris from the ground and tree. “I hope we still have time to finish the search,” she asks, looking at the gathering of students.

Thaddeus Livingston walks back over to his group of three, not saying anything to Olivia, besides what he says with his expression. He holds out the ingerdiant to to Evan, whom, he thinks would appreciate it more then he or Olivia might, while keeping his eyes on the poor girl.

Evan Geroff seems a bit confused by Olivia’s quick recovery once down, though while she seemed in need he was quick to help, and quite hurriedly pulls his hands back. “Miss Baxtor, forgive my forwardness.. I only meant to lend support..” Dropping that line, still looking to mask his confusion, he focuses his eyes on the ground at his feet. “By all means, somewhere down here – I thought I found something, but I’ve dropped it..”

Karina Sedgewick is also a bit surprised at Olivia’s quick recovery, although she seems more relieved than anything. As the crowd disperses, she drifts back to the edge of the clearing to observe, a bit more aware of the student’s activities, looking on as the third years continue the scavenger hunt. Most groups have found at least something, and some groups have started collaborating, at least for now. It is still a contest, however, and many (including the knot of Ravenclaws), are clearly taking it very seriously

Olivia Baxtor‘s breathing has by no means returned to normal, but she is trying to brush off her stray from composure. “Oh–okay,” she responds, trying to rub out a particularly obvious stain on the outer cloak, feeling absolutely annoyed that the spot will not come out. The girl’s breathing is still rather irregular, and her voice higher than normal, but seeing that others appear to be deceived by her act of composure, she relaxes just a bit.

Thaddeus Livingston gnaws on his lip, holding out the ingrediant more forcefully, “Uhm.” He clears his throat, “I found this.” He offers innocently, looking between Olivia and Evan. “If you’re still up to trying to do this all…” He adds, for Olivia’s sake, pouting.

Looking up at Olivia, finally, as she doesn’t respond to his appology, Evan catches her rubbing the cloak and smiles faintly. “I am sorry, truly.. Please don’t worry about the spot, Mother will know a way to get it out if I can’t, or she can always buy me a new one.. Please do forgive me.” Finally noticing Thaddeus, Evan takes the offered object, giving a firm nod. “We’re going to be first; we’ve got time to make up. Here’s one..” Pausing to bend down, finally spotting his dropped plant material on the ground, he rises again with a more confident, “and here’s two. Let’s head off that direction a bit,” he points, “and run! If you’re up to it, Miss.. Stop if you see anything, though.”

“It’s okay,” Olivia finally responds. “You didn’t know that I…” How should she word this? “don’t like high places.” She sighs and lets the robe go, the spot still nagging her in the back of her mind. “I think I see one over here,” she announes, smiling a bit at Thaddeus for his finding and picking up the one that she has spotted. “Can you keep this with the one you’ve found?” She asks him, trying to make up for the drama she’s created, and the time lost for her group.

“I’m glad you can perform the levitation charm, Mr. Delaney, but please do not practice here,” Karina Sedgewick admonishes as student as the hunt continues. Some teams are nearly completion, now. Of course, there is one very hidden ingredient, a small mushroom, that Karina has cleverly disguised with an illusion. The illusion has a weakness, however. When you look at the spot on the ground at just the right angle, the mushrooms can clearly be seen…

Thaddeus Livingston beams when Olivia offers him a smile, glancing around for another ingrediant as he should. However, he has no luck, “What are we missin’?” He asks under his breath to the others, moreso tagging along with them.

Evan Geroff blinks at Olivia, as she fails to lessen his confusion. “Oh, well that’s all right; I meant about my.. err..” ..forwardness, but he doesn’t finish. “Well.” “There we go, that’s three, and we’re nearly there.” He angles off to the side a bit, the pauses to look out over the clearing. So much ground left to cover, and he will not allow a loss. “Do not look away from the ground. .. Unless you come across somewhere higher up to search.” “Missing? Well..” only partially pausing again – trying to move backwards, stare at the ground, and actually see the most recent ingredient, he gives up in favor of not missing something himself and instead just asks. “Olivia, what is it you have?”

“I found the dandelion roots,” Olivia answers, gesturing towards Thaddeus’s hand. “Don’t worry about it, Evan,” the girl responds, smiling at Evan. “You’ve been kind to me, helping me.” She gives him another smile, once again baring her crooked teeth. Twice in one day! “We need… one more. Right?” She looks to her teammates for the correct answer, looking hopeful.

“Ten minutes!” Karina calls out. Sure enough, time is ticking away, and soon it will be time to return to the classroom. She doesn’t give any hints however, as the teams desperately search for the missing ingredient.

Evan Geroff stops to kick over a stone on the ground, then frowns as he finds nothing under it. “Dandelion roots.. hmm.. it’s a mushroom,” he pronounces. “Correct? Small.. it could be anywhere. Do not even blink.” Stopping to move a longer piece of grass with his foot, yet again finding nothing, he falls silent and continues on.

Thaddeus Livingston remains silent as he scans the area, eyes squinting tightly in his concentration. A mushroom. We’re looking for a mushroom…

“Wait is that it over there?” the girl gasps, running over to a spot where she believes she sees the missing ingredient. “Oh. Just a rock. Hm.” Disappointment clouds her face as she turns and heads back towards her group, straying just a bit away from them, kicking over things gingerly on her way. “Oh! Oh wait! I think I see it!” She stoops down, pulling her robes and two cloaks up gingerly and reaches into a tiny dip behind a log. “Here it is! I found it!” Olivia skips back over to her teammates, looking quite triumphant, and brandishes the last ingredient.

“Times up!” Karina calls, conveniently when the last ingredient is found. “Please gather around! Which group has the complete ingredients? Please step forward!” She waits patiently for the stragglers to gather around, before making the prize presentation.

Evan Geroff pauses in the midst of kicking at whatever else he has found on the ground, spinning to look at Olivia. “You found it? Wonderful! Hurry, let’s run and show Professor Sedgewick before anyone else gets there.” He smiles at Olivia, turns to glance at Thaddeus, then takes off toward the teacher. Slowing as he reaches the crowd, he turns to look for his teammates, already holding up the two ingredients that he has. “We’ve got everything, Professor!”

Thaddeus Livingston simply grins, “Good job!” He nudges Olivia, shaking his head, “I wouldn’t have ever seen it!” He follows along, tightening his scarf around his neck and beginning to realize, fully, the cold.

Karina Sedgewick examines the group’s ingredients as they are presented to her, a smile returning to her face. “Great work!” she says to the three as she takes the ingredients from them. “TWo points will be awarded to each of you. And on top of that…” she rummages in her pockets for a moment, before producing three vials of orange potion. “One drop in a glass of water will turn the water into fresh pumpkin juice,” she tells the three as she hands them each a vial. “An invention of mine. Enjoy! Class, let’s return to the classroom to gather our things!” With that, Karina leads her students back into the castle.