"Wow. So you're not yet sure what you want to be but you have a lot of options, then," Jack concluded, thinking of the other boy's various talents. He giggled at the idea of gobstone goo glasses. "Genius."

George's suggestion that Jack practice broom racing with him was met with a look of amused incredulity. "Right. I'll keep that in mind, thanks. Because I definitely want to learn how to become more like Warren," he scoffed, his voice soaked in sarcasm. "That would answer a lot of questions if that was really how he did it, though."

The sunshine-basking laydown reminded Jack of the times he had spent with Flash in the Room of Requirement when they would just relax and talk or sometimes cuddle. But the peace of the moment seemed a bit too much for Jack just then and he was struck by the urge to attack the boy beside him.

He laughed as his companion slapped him and struggled, yelling a name at him as he was tickled. George demanded Jack stop when he could get enough air, but it wasn't until George used his first name that the redheaded teen realized something was up and immediately ceased his tickling. At the same time, George rolled out from under him and Jack watched as he tried to recompose himself - both in appearance and perhaps demeanor.

"What?" he asked perplexedly. "What's wrong? Can't handle a little tickle wrestling?" The curve of a half-smile turned the corners of his lips.

@George Henry

"You've got yourself sorted then, do you? Full-time relationship counselor," George said, with a sage nod at his own suggestion. It made perfect sense - he'd given good advice to George on how to sort things with Jake, and he seemed to spend a lot of time thinking about the costs and benefits to friendship. He simply nodded to the accept the compliment - as a genius, being told he was one came par for the course. "I know I am."

And humble, too. "Watch yourself now," George cautioned with a playful wag of his finger. Only he was allowed to call Jack Warren an idiot. "That's my Jack you're talking about, Other Jack."

Even around Jake and Jack, George often felt the urge to act proper. It was unlikely that either boy would've spent time laying around on the ground with him. The closest he'd gotten was chasing after Jack W on the quidditch pitch, or maybe a snowball fight. No such instincts possessed him with Burnett, however - they'd already had their turns embarrassing themselves with their vulnerabilities. But it was different if someone came out and saw them on the ground having a tickle fight - it was childish at best, and wasn't really something he wanted to have to explain to the tent mates he wanted to impress.

The boy had issued a challenge to him, however - and there were two parts of him at war. His pride made conflicting demands, asking him to stand up and tackle Burnett as a tickle counterattack while also demanding that he maintain propriety in front of those he wanted to make think that he was smart. Even if it was too late now, and the back of his pajamas were completely tinged with dirt and grass stains from thrashing about on the ground.

There was also a strange feeling of stomach-sickness that accompanied the idea of having to explain just what he was doing having a lay around and tickle fight with Jack Burnett, of all people. He pulled his knees up to his chest, hugging his legs - defending himself from any further assaults from Jack Burnett's evil, tickling hands.

"My pajamas are going to be ruined," he said sullenly, glancing back over his shoulders at the grass stains he could see. But he knew he wasn't really upset over that. It was hard to place what he was upset about at all. He turned his eyes away, the erratic boy suddenly shy. He let out a quiet assurance, so Burnett wouldn't fret about it. "It's fine."

The pink-faced Hufflepuff rose to his feet and considered Burnett. This would be an ideal time to catch him off guard and tackle him to the ground. It wasn't far enough of a fall to really hurt him - just to afford him the opportunity to exact his revenge. But maybe here wasn't the place.

"I'm going to go get dressed and get some lunch for breakfast... we can go together if you'll wait around. Suspect you haven't got friends waiting..." he teased, with a quirked eyebrow. "I'm going to wear something actually decent, so if you even think about knocking me onto the grass again..."

"Are you kidding me?" Jack snorted. "If I was any good at relationships, do you think I'd be so afraid of making friends?" He shook his head. "And I don't even want to think about the complications of other kinds of relationships..."

Suddenly, he grinned. "Your Jack? What, so you own him, now? I'm sure he'd love to hear you calling him that."

Jack mellowed a bit and backed off, however, when George took up the defensive position of pulling his knees up to his chest. Tilting his head at the other teen, he asked, "Ever heard of the Scouring Charm? I'm sure that will clean your pajamas right up." Still, he was glad that George didn't seem too angry or upset with him.

They stared at each other a bit when George got up and Jack wondered what he was going to do. All he did, though, was announce he was going to get dressed and get some lunch for breakfast. Jack smirked about the quip regarding not having friends waiting. "Alright, alright, I'll mind your precious clothes. I'll be right here, so hurry up." Maybe today wouldn't be as lonely as he thought it would be after all.

@George Henry