Exploring the Grounds Open

Arty looked over at the two Hufflepuffs who had approached her. She smiled at...Sarafina...yes, she caught her name correctly. It was funny, Artemys could tell that she was a bit nervous to introduce herself. Arty knew that well, the babbling on when she was nervous, talking too much (in her opinion). It was actually quite nice seeing someone else do that for a change. Although, she'd probably start doing the same soon. She listened, her eyes making contact with Sarafina's.

"Oh! Thank you for the offer!" She scrambled together, trying to find her things and stand up. "My name is Artemys. It's a pleasure to meet you, Fina! And yes, I am Ravenclaw, although I probably could have gotten into any house, I suppose that I'm more intellectual than any of my other traits. Perhaps I could be able to figure out how the Sorting Hat works so that I could see what other possibilities were able for us students to determine which house we would most likely be sorted into! And yes, the giant squid is quite lovely. I've named him Aye. Like what pirates say 'Aye Aye!'" She giggled.
"I suppose it's a fitting name considering that pirates once attacked the castle. It's quite an enticing tale! I have a book on the history in my...oh no..." She laughed again. "I'm rambling, aren't I?"

The girl met Sarafina’s fierce blue eyes and answered.
“Oh! Thank you for the offer!” The girl grabbed her things and stood up. “My name is Artemys. It’s a pleasure to meet you Fina! And yes, I am a Ravenclaw, although I probably could’ve gotten into any house, but I suppose I’m more intellectual than the others...” she went on, then stopped. “My...oh no. I’m rambling again aren’t I?” She laughed. Sarafina smiled.
“It’s fine. Yes, I also suspect I could’ve been placed in any house. Slytherin and Ravenclaw seemed fitting, but I guess not. It’s nice to meet you too.” She suddenly heard Cynthia ask if anyone knew what time it was. She and Artemys walked back to the group. Cynthia talked to Artemys, offering her to join them. An offer Sarafina had made not too long ago. It seemed they thought the same way when it came to some things.
“I don’t know what time it is, although it is a little dark. I didn’t bring a watch or anything...” she stopped and laughed at the thought of a watch. “What am I saying? There’s probably some magic clock around here,” she said. She thought there probably was.

Cynthia listened as Artemys said she had named the giant squid Aye.  “I don’t think there is an official name for the squid, but I like the name you chose for him,” she said with a smile.  She hoped the Ravenclaw would come and join them, but she did not want to force her to if she didn’t want to.  She seemed fine where she was.  Artemys mentioned she had traits of all the four Hogwarts houses and Cynthia felt the same way.  Though, she thought she had more Hufflepuff traits so that was why the Sorting Hat put her in Hufflepuff House.

Cynthia really didn’t wear a watch and no one seemed to know what time it was, but it didn’t really matter as long as they were together and back inside before dinner.  She did not want her or her friends caught breaking rules and facing the possibility of losing house points.  For now, she turned back to the lake and the giant squid.  It didn’t seem like they would be exploring the grounds much more that day.  Perhaps tomorrow they could explore more.  She hoped for another warm, sunny day to spend with all of her new friends.

From the distance, Rosie Parker was seen walking down the grass, less angrily now. She wiped her eyes again and gripped her bag straps tightly. She had just been involved in a very messy situation that left her in a terrible mood.

Prior to this, Rosie was at the Great Lake some distance away. She was fine at first, until two people approached her and were very... Aggressive. Rosie mainly got angry at the boy, who seemed to not know what he was talking about ever. He threw out empty threats, and looked like a fool. He was also being super mean! Rosie didn't like mean people. The girl was being threatening and kinda stupid, acting like she was superior. Rosie didn't like her either.

Anyways, the point was, Rosie was not very happy. She crossed her arms as she walked until she saw Anatole in the distance. Was that him? It was! Thank god. Rosie relaxed a bit and approached the group. She didn't know many people with Anatole, but maybe they were nice? Rosie wasn't very sure now, she wanted to be cautious considering the last people.

Rosie walked up to Anatole, sighing in relief when she saw it was someone who liked her. "Hey," she forced a smile when she approached him, but tears were forming in her eyes. Angry tears.

Since he was so quote-unquote anxious, Anatole had dashed in front of the group of girls. Even though he had completely missed where the girls stopped to admire the squid, he sat there, looking over the water, unable to notice the squid or the girls.

Around this time is when Anatole had finally notice he might pass out from heat stroke since he had kept his winter coat on this whole time. Finally, when sense knocked into him, he took his coat off, revealing his dress shirt underneath. He rolled up the sleeves, admiring the placid, quiet lake beside him.

In the distance, some footsteps rustled behind him. Frantic, pacing quickly toward him. At first a little startled, Anatole looked back, instantly recognizing the face for once. It was Rosie, just who he needed right now during this extremely bland outing. He waved to her with a broad grin, stretching far to exaggerate how joyful he was. "Hey," he called jovially, his winter coat lying beside him with absolutely no outside force causing movement. "You don't even know how on point you are with the timing!" Anatole tapped a spot beside him in the grass, moving his coat so she could sit beside him. "Take a load off."

Sarafina looked at the group, just realizing someone was missing. She looked over to see Anatole standing by the lake some distance away. A girl walked over and they got into a conversation. She assumed they knew each other. She didn't want to interrupt them, but was also curious to meet the girl. She looked sad, and Sarafina wanted to help her. She wanted to get to know her first though. Being her empathetic self, she walked over and decided to introduce herself. Sometimes she hated the fact that she was so empathetic; that she always put herself in the other person's shoes no matter the situation. She made sure to walk in front, as not to startle the girl.
"Hey," Sarafina started. "I'm Sarafina, but you can call me Fina. I saw you walking over here and wanted to say that you could join us if you wanted to. We're just walking around and looking at the lake. Oh, and also the giant squid," she laughed. She gave a warm smile, hoping to improve the mood. "What's your name? You're a Hufflepuff too, I'm guessing," she said. She did think the girl was probably a Hufflepuff, but wanted to check. That way she might see her around some time.

Rosie was relieved she found Anatole. He was probably the one person she’d go to for something like this, he was a caring sweet boy who wouldn’t dare treat her like that boy did.

She forced a smile and walked over, looking down at the winter coat before sitting down on the grass, crossing her legs. Rosie didn’t feel all that up to talking right now and she was just plain angry at the situation that she’d been involved in. She started thinking about it and angry tears replaced themselves on Rosie’s cheeks. She wiped her eyes and let out a shaky sigh.

Rosie turned to look up at the new girl. Huh. She was nice. She giggled when she mentioned a squid. “Huh? That’s weird,” she rolled her eyes jokingly. “Well, hi. I’m Rosie and yes I am Hufflepuff. But I guess according to some people we’re too friendly and happy to be likeable to anyone.” Rosie muttered bitterly, holding her knees to her chest and letting out an angry sigh. “I should’ve known all people here weren’t nice. I was too naive to think otherwise. The kid I just approached proved me that I have the ability to dislike someone.”

Sarafina listened as Rosie introduced herself. She was a Hufflepuff! And apparently someone had been rude to her. Sarafina felt anger building up. She was way too overprotective of her friends and house, and she knew it. She was fine with it. She wondered if she knew the person who was rude. It was worth a shot.
“Who was rude to you? Not wanting to intrude, just wondering in case I know them so I can go smack them.” She smiled at the thought. Her mind drifted to darker places, but she quickly came back to herself. She would talk to them first. Probably. And then smack the lights out of them. No, she hissed silently at herself. She would not be violent. Well, not very violent... She dug her nails into her hand and cleared those thoughts, refocusing on the people in front of her. Hopefully they hadn’t noticed the internal struggle going on. Hopefully they thought she was joking. No evidence no crime, some smaller part of her mind said. She shoved the dark thoughts out AGAIN. She would not be caught hurting someone else physically on the first day. So the second day? She pushed that down too. She mentally groaned at all that was going on. Why did she have to be this way?

Cynthia looked over at sudden movement in the corner of her eye.  She turned and was relieved that the movement she saw was only Anatole removing his heavy winter cloak and lay it beside him on the grass.  He did look a great deal cooler than he had with it on.  At least he wouldn’t get overly hot and exhausted.  She didn’t want him to pass out or anything.

It was then that Cynthia noticed a young girl join him.  She was that the girl was upset about something, but Cynthia didn’t want to pry into it.  It might be something she didn’t want to talk about, but Cynthia was sure she would if she wanted to.  For now, Cynthia thought it would be nice to welcome her into the group.  Looking over at them a short distance away, she said, “Hi, welcome to our group.  Don’t worry.  We’re all friends here and are glad to have you join us.”  She was hoping to put the girl at ease and make her feel better.  Cynthia didn’t like seeing anyone upset, including herself.  She hated that feeling, especially when her parents weren’t there to protect her.  For now, she was enjoying the company of her new friends.

Anatole looked up at the new, but at the same time old girl. Sarafina, wasn’t that her name?

Good, she confirmed his suspicion right after he thought it was her name. Anatole gave a tiny wave, trying to act nice. It was hard, since what he really needed right now would be some Rose one-on-one time. He was feeling alright, and he knew she felt bad. ”Hey again,” Anatole replied, his voice slightly more monotone, but still jovial. He didn’t want to try to make someone else feel bad. That wasn’t his responsibility, nor was it his privilege.

The other girl was making good, efficient quick work of analyzing what happened to Rosie, and before he could chime in, the both of them fired back questions and answers. To make sure she was still okay, he wrapped his arm around his friend’s back. It was soft, and she remained a little ruptured from earlier. It was almost as if Anatole couldn’t control her, or maybe even trust her to not get into an argument. He didn’t want to think about that now. ”I’m sorry that happened. I highly think that things will get better, just trust me.” He laughed at the thought of thinking of a squid within all this chaos. A small smidgen of humour right when they all needed it.