Summer Camp Herbology Workshop Closed

She told him that her name was Asteria Hana. Even though he was not one to judge, he thought she had an interesting name. She then asked him how he was enjoying the summer camp so far. Hengist responded, "I'm having fun so far.
I've never been camping before, so this is all a new experience for me. I did enjoy the bonfire, even though I didn't really talk to anyone. I kind of sat and read a book, but it was nice. I'm also glad they opened up part of the lake so we can go swimming, I love to swim!"

It was then that Professor Valtome told the students to get moving, looking very perturbed. Many of the other already partnered students made for the door leading to the dark forest. All of the other as of yet un-partnered student began scrambling to find one. "Well, shall we go, Asteria?" Hengist asked his partner. They then started following the group of students moving off.

Hengist tried to make awkward small talk. "I know we're supposed to represent our cabins and not our houses during the camp, but what house are you in? I'm in Ravenclaw. Oh, I almost forgot. We both have very unusual first names and I find yours interesting. Does it mean anything?" Awkward was right. Who tells someone their name is unusual the first time they meet? And a name is pretty, not interesting. All of this doesn't even really occur to Hengist, but he waited patiently for Asteria's answer.

Interacts with Syrah Steele and Dorothy Do

Syrah's laugh filled Lucy's chest, and joy bubbled up from the pit of her stomach. This was going to be a fantastic partnership. What an absolutely, positively perfect --- "HEY," she cried, finding herself careening toward the floor. Luckily, her Slytherin partner was still walking next to her. Her hand shot out and gripped the Syrah's forearm, using it to pull herself upright. What in the world just happened? 

"Oh! I'm dreadfully sorry.  Didn't see you there I'm afraid."

Raising her ankle in the air behind her, she rubbed it with her right hand. The fellow Hufflepuff's apology and smile seemed sincere, but... it was pretty hard to accidentally trip someone. Well, maybe she had just shifted her wait at the wrong time, causing Lucy to trip. Or maybe it was on purpose. Lucy's eyes narrowed slightly in contemplation before she shrugged. "It's okay! No harm done. Luckily Syrah was here to save me from eating it completely," she grinned, smiling at the other Hufflepuff. Now that the moment had passed, it seemed less and less likely that the trip was intentional. After all, she didn't even know her. Why would the other girl have any reason to trip Lucy? 

"Well, see you out there," she said awkwardly, feeling as if she had to dismiss herself from the other Hufflepuff's presence. She turned and hurried on out the door, banishing the incident from her mind. Well, maybe today wasn't absolutely, positively perfect anymore, but it still had the potential to be fun! She smiled at Syrah, a bit embarrassed, and awaited further instructions from Professor Valtome.

Action: Follows Syrah and Professor Valtome outside. Trips over Dorothy's foot and remains oblivious to her true intention.

”They’d better let us” The Hufflepuff snorted before moving away from the crowd of toe rags students, and to the door - separating herself from the group. Following the girl hesitantly, Isabella made her way away from the throng of people and towards the door, a few steps behind Ami. "I've been itching to go in there for what, forever?" Nodding her head in agreement, the new second year Slytherin gazed out at the forest. What Ami had just said was true for her too, she loved forests. Being paired with the fact that it was ‘forbidden’ to all year levels had just made her want to explore it even more. After all, she was the type of person to do something twice and take photos if you told her not to do something.

"What cabin did you end up in? Did you end up with whomever you wanted?" Nodding her head, she opened her mouth to speak. ”Yea, I’m in Wright’s cabin - the Cabin of the Phoenix. Did you end up with who you wanted? Was it Cazarezs or Lears cabin you wanted to be in?” Her voice sounded strangely British next to the American, and it made her feel slightly put out. She wasn’t meant to feel weird about her accent, was she? A lot of the students at Hogwarts were British, were they not?

A few seconds after she had asked her question, a man burst into the small cabin. She was sure that if anyone else came inside it would pop. That is, if cabins could pop. She wasn’t saying they couldn’t pop - she wasn’t cabinist - but it was highly unlikely. After all, who ever heard of a cabin popping from the amount of people inside it? After a short conversation (which she heard nothing of) from the man she now recognised as the potions professor, he made his way out of the cabin. As some students follow after him, she assumed they were to make their way outside. She took a few steps forward before turning around and speaking to Ami. ”We should probably follow them, the professors will be out for our blood if we’re late.” Without waiting for an answer, she turned around again and started slowly making her way towards the forest - making sure that Ami could easily catch up with her if she wanted too.

Action: Follow Valtome towards the forest

Asteria listened as Hengist talked about how camp was going for him, "...I did enjoy the bonfire, even though I didn't really talk to anyone. I kind of sat and read a book, but it was nice." Hengist said "Ah," Asteria replied understandingly, "I've had plenty of chances to try camping, but I never did it." She explained."It was the same with me at the bonfire, although I wish I had brought a book, instead I just took in the evening sky. Swimming seems like a lot of fun," Asteria's cheeks turned a tint of red with embarrassment with what she was about to admit, "if I were good at swimming that is." If there was one thing Asteria was terrible at, it was swimming. Even when her family would go to the beach, sure she would play in the water with her cousins, but she stayed close to the shore due to not knowing how to swim like they did.
 
  It was then that the ever-so dramatic and appalled tones of her head of cabin and house, Professor Valtome carried over the voice of the student. "Seventeen minutes, Ms Wright!" The professor stated."The forest is a dreadful place in which I have no wish to be present beyond a certain time-frame. The humidity is intolerable. My skin weeps in woeful lament. Do you wish such tragedy upon me? Do you wish to see me scorched beyond recognition? Am I truly so vile in your eyes that you would actively engage in my undoing?" He carried on. Asteria said nothing and simply rolled her eyes at the over dramatic comment, she watched as he walked over to a large basket and took it. "This will do nicely." he said starting to walk away, but not before stopping to say, "Do not keep me waiting further. Grab a basket, grab a partner and come." and with that, he left. "Oh, good heavens." Asteria said in a low voice that only her partner could hear with a slight scowl while shaking her head. "Must he be so over the top."

 "Well, shall we go, Asteria?" Hengist said. "Of course."  Asteria replied as she and Hengist walked with those who were following professor Valtome."I know we're supposed to represent our cabins and not our houses during the camp, " Hengist continued. "but what house are you in? I'm in Ravenclaw." "I'm in Gryffindor." Asteria responded looking over at Hengist. "Although, the sorting hat had a problem placing me. It was either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, but he said Gryffindor was the key to unlocking my greatest potential, and so he placed me there." Asteria couldn't help but wonder what the sorting meant by that. So far, she's only been buried in her books and studies; she hasn't done anything brave or adventurous that a Gryffindor would usually do. Granted she did love going on an adventure, she just hasn't even tried to yet, in her eyes Ravenclaw probably would have been the better fit.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Hengist said suddenly, "We both have very unusual first names and I find yours interesting. Does it mean anything?" Asteria blinked for a second, slightly caught off guard by the unusual question before answering.  "Well," Asteria began "My first name is Greek, it means 'Star'. My mum always liked the name ever since she would read about Greek mythology as a young girl. She also thought it would fit well with my last name, Hana," she explained. which is Japanese for 'Flower' but also has many other meanings both mum and dad felt it went well with." Asteria went on, it wasn't everyday someone asked about her name, or that she talked about it, but she had no problem discussing it of asked. "What about you name, Hengist?" she asked curiously

I'm Mary Brown.

Mia looked at the girl and smiled. She seemed nervous enough, and was twiddling her fingers, wondering what to say. Or she was just always like that. Mia assumed that it was the first.

Mia Alexander.

Professor Valtome entered, and Mia rolled her eyes slightly, her gaze darting around the room. Though she didn't particularly like the Potions Professor-she thought him frivolous and a drama and attention wh**e, she didn't want anyone to know that, least of all him. It was hard enough to get through Hogwarts without attracting the negative attention from a very powerful and well respected professor.

Mia's eyes went back to Mary, and she frowned slightly. It wasn't that she was displeased with her partner, it was just that she didn't know the girl. She seemed weak and sensitive, good qualities overall, but not to Mia. She decided that she did not particularly like the girl, but would tolerate her. After all, if the girl didn't try to challenge her she would be no threat, just a minor annoyance.

Turning her gaze to the Professor, she listened to him carefully, making sure that her carefully maintained expression didn't break or fall. She was good at this, and through years of practice she was able to peep on the other teams. There was Ami-who she should've chosen as a partner. But she was with Isabella. Even the sight of her red hair sent flutters up her body.

Trying to look anywhere but Ami, Mia turned to Mary and smiled carefully.

Let's go outside.

With that, Mia walked out, not checking behind her to see if Mary was following her. If she was smart, or weak, she would follow. Mia was not one to mess around with.

Interaction with Mia Alexander

Mary introduced herself and twiddled her fingers, it was obvious that she was extremely nervous to be working with the older girl. She hadn't really spoken to any second years before and if she did it was simply to get advice. She knew that she looked very awkward and hoped that she didn't seem weird in the eyes of the slytherin girl.

As the girl introduced herself as Mia the potions professor walked into the hut. Here we go Mary thought to herself. She hadn't known the potions professor for very long but as come to learn that he is a very dramatic person and not everyone was necessarily fond of him. "Do not keep me waiting further. Grab a basket, grab a partner and come." Mary rolled her eyes at how dramatic the professor seemed.

When professor Valtome walked outside many of the other students were in follow, probably unsure of what the respected professor would do if they didn't.

"Let's go outside" Mia said a little too harshly and followed professor Valtome outside, not sparing another glance back at Mary.

Mary went with Mia out of the hut and she took this time to evaluate Mia in her own mind. With the way the girl stood she seemed very confidant, which to Mary was understandable, she had stunning features. Though she also had the attitude of someone who seemed very demanding. Mary couldn't say she particularly fond of the girl, but she also didn't know her very well yet.

"So Mia, where do yah come from?" Mary said with her thick scottish accent. Following next to the older girl.

Mary knew it wasn't the most intresting topic to start on but she felt that she needed to start the conversation somehow.

So Mia, where do yah come from?

A fielded question that would bring no actual depth to the entire thing; a question that had no purpose but to kickstart a mediocre conversation that would last an indefinite amount of time before it came to a halt and an awkward-but much preferred-silence continued.

Sucking in a quick breath, Mia realized that she had to say something. She knew the girl's surname-Brown, long line of Slytherins-faintly, and besides, if she was stony there would be no fun. She had to at least try to be nice-ish.

I was born New York, but I later moved to London, hence my appearance at this school, not another.

That was good. And easy. No questions asked, nothing to complain about. Except that she now had to ask the girl-who had a quite thick accent-about where she was born and raised.

And you?

Mia turned to the girl slightly, her long eyelashes sparkling. They were outside now, and Mia was starting to feel that familiar bubble of anxiety in her stomach. It wasn't really anxiety, no, just a little bit of worry. She didn't want to come back looking like a lobster.

Touching two fingers to her check, and then her nose and forehead, Mia made sure that she was all covered-at least on her face-with sunscreen. The sticky texture reassured her, and she dropped her hand, waiting for the girl's response.

Ami smiled, pleased that Isabella had been paying attention to her words from the Campfire. That was certainly a good sign. "Cazarez's, I ended up a Unicorn," she said quietly, with a smile. She couldn't help it, who didn't smile when thinking of unicorns? Both majestic and adorable, mysterious and familiar, there certainly couldn't be a better creature- or a better cabin.

Not long after, the Potions Professor burst into the cabin, blathering on and on about his complexion or whatever, like just deal with it, dude. Sunburns weren't all that uncommon, with pale, white skin making up the vast majority of the Hogwarts student body. He instructed the waiting students to follow him outside, which Isabella also suggested they do, before the professors went 'out for our blood if we're late', as the Slytherin had put it so nicely.

The pair headed out to the forest, following after the professor, Ami wondering what in the world they would be doing. The professor had yet to explain a drop of anything to them, and as a result, Ami was thoroughly confused. "Professor Valtome!" she called out, matching her stride to Isabella's, keeping pace with her easily with her long, long legs. "What exactly are we doing today?"

Mary knew that her question was a simple everyday question, a question that would no doubt lead to an awkward silence. She had to think of a better topic to think about, and needed to think fast. It was times like these that Mary wished she had the cunning aspect in herself like most of her family,alas she didn't, so what would she do? Maybe she would ask the girl what she wanted to do?

"And you?"

Mary knew that she would of course ask this, it was the polite thing to do but, Mary was bored of the conversation that would come after. Maybe this Mia girl would enjoy a little trouble? It had of course crossed Mary's mind to sneak off into the forest but she wasn't so sure, Herbology wasn't quite her forte and as much as she loves learning new things-learning about plants didnt seem much fun. She would have to wait and see if the girl was willing to be troublesome enough to go through with it.

"Cairndow, Scotland" "Are you really even interested in Herbology? I know a lot of students just signed up to have something to do.

Mary felt that if she could keep the conversation rolling maybe this Mia girl could be a fun candidate for adventures.

INTERACTION!
Mary Brown

Are you really even interested in Herbology? I know a lot of students just signed up to have something to do.

Mia's face split into a small smile. This girl was-well no one else would admit that. Saying stuff like that was not a death sentence exactly, just mildly offensive. Some teachers would gasp if you said that to their face. Or laugh. Mia liked the ones that laughed better.

Really? I, for one, actually am. Or I'm just obsessed with Professor Wright. Take your pick.

Her face contorted into something between a smile and a neutral expression, causing her forehead to go smooth.

Are you? Or who is? I'd love to know...

Mia trailed off, a hint of a jest in her voice. She wasn't a gossip, she just knew everyone's family. But that, that was going to be funny. Imagine if-if Phaedra didn't want to be here. Or Serena. Or one of the other more popular kids. Mia laughed a little just thinking about it.

Or maybe the other first years didn't want to be here. Mia knew that there were some, but not many, at the camp, and she had avoided the little pipsqueaks so far. True, some of them were almost as old as her, but they were first years. Mia was older. It was the rule of life.