2:23 pm April 24, 2075 -- Scarlett's Birthday Party!

[Avery Griffith]

Avery had gotten up early to create a birthday party paradise for one of her best friends, Scarlett. A twelfth birthday is an important one, and needed to be celebrated! Avery had asked her father to send her some decorations (shrunken magically into a small envelope) since she was still incapable of difficult magic. Since the Headmistress wasn't around, she hadn't done all she would have liked to, but, in her opinion, still looked spectacular.

A foldable table filled with pop and butterbeer was set up on one side. Green streamers, for Slytherin, hung from nearby trees, twisting together in the center to spell out SCARLETT. Above the giant name hung a Happy Birthday sign, tied to the tree. Old Weird Sisters music sounded from a radio at the base of the tree along with a present wrapped with a large blue bow from Avery. A few towels were folded next to the lake, ready for potential swimmers. Some fairies hovered about, picking at the bait that had been set up to coax them there. A huge cake, decorated with pastel purples, greens, yellows, and blues sat amid it all, just waiting for Scarlett to blow the candles out.

Avery stood in front of it all, beaming, waiting for the guest of honor, or anyone else who wanted to help celebrate, to arrive.

[Scarlett Connory]

Scarlett brushed her hair until it lay in smooth layers and then she grabbed her tennis shoes and began lacing them up. She wore faded, worn out, light blue jeans and a green babydoll top that fitted her nicely. It wasn't too fancy nor was it too casual, and she didn't feel like being either today. She was excited and nervous for her 'party' that Vee had said she was going to put together. She was so glad she had Vee back as a friend and was mad at herself for ever being so rude to the friend that seemed to care more about her than anyone. And Scarlett cared so much about Avery too.

Her pace turned in to almost a run as she was in a rush to get to the lake, where Vee had told her to meet her. From a distance she set eyes on the party deorations. It was absolutely wonderful! She rushed down to it and waved as she spotted Avery standing amongst it all. Her hair flew out behind her as she ran and yelled a hello out to Vee.

When she reached her finally, after what seemed like forever she pulled her into a hug. "Thank you! Thank you!" She said as she pulled away and looked at it all again. "It looks wonderful, Avery. You are such a great friend!" She was beaming now feeling so incredibly light and happy that any previous worries of making a fool of herself faded away.

[Avery Griffith]

Avery grinned as Scarlett arrived, "Well, you're welcome," she said, after Scarlett had let go. "But it's your party," she reminded her. She glanced over at the present she had picked out for Scarlett. It was a green knit pouch emblazoned with her name on it in silver, for Slytherin colors. Her father had also put a spell on it so it had an endless capacity, and so it would shoot out tiny silent fireworks everytime it was opened. Avery had put a first aid kit in it as a joke about Scarlett's clumsiness.

She rushed over to the tree and handed it to her. "Happy birthday!" she sang. She looked about expectantly for any more guests. She had invited a bunch of people and put up notices about the party... maybe they were all just late. They would come soon, probably. She assured herself this. Avery watched as Scarlett opened her present.

[Parker Green]

Running his fingers through his hair, Parker looked in the mirror one more time to make sure that his outfit was in place. He wanted to make sure that he looked really good for Scarlett's birthday party. God, I feel like such a girl. Parker chuckled to himself as he buttoned up his pinstriped shirt. Parker thought for a moment before unbuttoning the top two buttons, exposing a small bit of his chest and gray wife beater. Picking up the small wrapped package on his bedside table, Parker placed it in his pocket and sprayed himself with a bit of Axe body spray and headed out the dorm to the lake.

Placing his hands in his the pocket of his jeans, Parker fingered the small package in his pocket and smiled. He really hoped that Scarlett liked the present he got her and as Parker approached the site of the party, his heart started beating harder against his chest. Parker smirked when he saw that Scarlett's back to him an he put his finger to his lips when he saw Avery to signal not to let Scarlett know he was behind her. Coming up behind Scarlett quietly, Parker slid his arms around her waist and whispered boo into her ear. Parker waited till Scarlett turned around and smiled at her. "Happy birthday little Lettie," Parker said using his nickname for her. Reaching into his pocket, Parker pulled out Scarlett's present and handed it to her. "I hope you like your present," Parker said sincerely.

[[Imagine that the heart has 'Scarlett' engraved on it. I couldn't find one that had that.]]

[Scarlett Connory]

Scarlett's eyes lit up as she saw Avery run over and grab the adorable knit pouch that had her name written on it and wondered upon what it contained momentarily before Vee handed it to her, as if she already hadn't given her enough with the party and everything. She opened it excitedly and watched in awe as the fireworks shot out. A smile crept upon her face again as the multitude of colors filled the air in front of her. She noticed something inside and reached her hand ever so slowly in and then pulling it out quickly. A first aid kit, of course. "I will be needing this!" Scarlett laughed giving Vee a huge smile and closing up the bag again. "Thank you so much, Avery," she said pulling her into another hug. "That's really cool. Will it always do that?" She asked referring to the small fireworks that shot out of the bag when it was opened.

Before recieving an answer she felt someone grasping her waist and she jumped scared half to death. She quickly spun around and felt her cheeks turn scarlet as all the heat rushed to her head and her heartbeat quicken as she laid eyes on Parker. She was glad he had come and he looked as amazing as ever. She smiled back at him after regaining her breath. "Goodness, you scared me." It was sort of awkward being in the same room as Avery and Parker.

She kept on smiling as he handed her a small present. "I am sure I will," she said automatically as she eyed it for a moment. Slowly she unwrapped it and gasped at seeing its contents. It was absolutely beautiful. She held it up seeing the sun flicker on it for a moment. Her name was even on it... and wow. It was just so thoughtful! She looked back at him with a huge smile on her face. "It's lovely," she said as she pulled him into a hug.

[Alexandria Potter]

Damn it all to hell. I can't believe I'm running late to Scarlett's party. She's gonna kill me. Alex angrily pulled a brush through her hair and shook her head at her own flakeness. After putting on some eyeliner, mascara, red lip gloss, and some foundation, Alex hurriedly put on her brown shoes and grabbed her jacket and ran as fast as she could in heels out of the dorm.

As Alex made her way across the grounds, she put her jacket on over her green shirt, and placed her hands into the pockets of her jeans. Alex couldn't help but be slightly nervous about Scarlett's party. It was being thrown by Scarlett's friend Avery and Avery and Alex were still on very shaky ground still. Sighing, Alex knew that Avery was a good person and mentally reminded herself that she said she wasn't going to interfere anymore. As got closer to the party site, she took a deep breath and put a smile onto her face. Here goes nothing.

"Hey Scarlett," Alex called out once she got near enough. She frowned slightly when she saw a boy hugging Scarlett and raised an eyebrow at Avery in question. "Hello Avery. Everything looks nice," Alex said politely while giving her a bit of a smile. Going over to Scarlett, Alex gave her a hug. Satisfied that she put herself in between Scarlett and mystery boy, Alex reached into her jacket pocket and handed Scarlett a small package wrapped in Slytherin colors. "Happy birthday girl. Hope you like it," Alex said gesturing to the present. Turning to face the boy, Alex gave him the once over and nudged Scarlett. "You gonna introduce me to your friend here Scar," Alex said pointedly.

[[Don't worry everyone...the fun has arrived! lmao. ]]

[Avery Griffith]

Avery grinned, "Yep, always--" she said, but was cut off by Parker hugging Scarlett. Avery rolled her eyes with a grin and sidestepped out of their way. She inched her way over to the drink table, pouring herself some butterbeer. She watched Scarlett and Parker, mildly interested, though against serious eleven... no, no, no, twelve... year old relationships, she wouldn't say anything. She herself would wait until second year, but even so, she smiled at it. She sipped her butterbeer thoughtfully as she discreetly watched Scarlett receive Parker's gift. She was admiring it when something happened...

Alex showed up. Like a cat, Avery's shoulders tensed, clutching her glass harder. She released the tension slowly, reminding herself not to start a fight with Alex at Scarlett's party. She watched as Alex stepped between Scarlett and Parker. Avery frowned, feeling this whole, 'protecting Scarlett' thing was getting somewhat out of hand. Nevertheless, she contained herself, feeling quite proud she was actually able to. Plastering a smile onto her face, she walked over to Alex.

"Hello," she replied to Alex's greeting. She set her butterbeer on the table. "Want to go for a swim?" she asked everyone. Good job. Alex'll probably drown you, she teased herself. She knew Alex wasn't that bad. Although, she certainly wasn't someone Avery would call her friend. "Then we swim until everyone gets here," she suggested. She nudged Scarlett, "Then we can sing happy birthday," she said with a grin.

[Scarlett Connory]

Scarlett pulled away from the hug as she heard Alexandria speaking to her. She was blushing slightly, just slightly as she fought to keep the color out of her face. Now this was definitely awkward. Alex, Avery, and Parker all in the same room didn't seem like a good combination. But who knows? Maybe it would all go very well. "Hey Alex!" She said to her enthusiastically with a smile.

Scarlett returned the hug and was glad in a way she supposed that Alex came, the same way she felt about everybody else here. She wondered momentarily upon where Lily Ellis was. Was she still mad at her? Did she even know that wasn't like that anymore? Would Alex even accept Lily as Scarlett's friend. She blinked and returned her attention to Alex as she handed her a package. "Thank you," she responded with another grin and just as she was about to open it she looked back up.

"Oh yes. Alexandria Potter this is Parker Green. Parker, Alex," she said gesturing towards each as she said their names. With that she continued opening the present and gasped in pleasant surprise as she saw its contents. "Ohh Alex!" Scarlett began looking back up at her, "it is beautiful!" She gave her another hug and smiled. The snake represented the Slytherin house, a part of who she was now. She could be a Slytherin without being the stereotypical jerk, and that is what she intended to do.

Suddenly Scarlett's smile faded in response to Vee's words. "I uhmmm..." she began embarrassed at what she was about to admit. "I can't swim," Scarlett finished. That was why she had almost drowned at the lake once before and surely would again if she attempted to. Luckily Vee had been there. She wondered how she had ever failed to mention that the first time. "I would surely die a tragic death," Scarlett added dramatically.

[Parker Green]

Parker gave Scarlett a smile and felt tried to calm his incessantly beating heart. "I'm really glad that you like it," Parker began as Scarlett pulled him in for another hug. "My mum makes jewelry at a little shop in Spain and when you told me about your birthday, I wrote to her asking her to make it for you," Parker said flashing one of his most dazzling smiles at Scarlett.

Parker watched quietly as another girl came up and gave Scarlett a hug. He raised an eyebrow slightly at the cool nature at which she greeted Avery and then it clicked with him. This girl must be the Alex girl that Scarlett had told him about when they were at the Whomping Willow. Parker had to bit down on his lip so that he wouldn't laugh when she gave him the once over. Parker's suspicions were confirmed when Scarlett introduced them. Parker extended his hand and smiled at Alex. "Its a pleasure to meet you Alex," Parker said politely.

Parker couldn't help but laugh when Avery mentioned something about swimming and Scarlett said she didn't think it was a good idea cause she would probably die a horrible death. "Don't worry Lettie, I'm here with you. I won't let you die...yet," Parker said jokingly as he put his arm around Scarlett's shoulder. "C'mon though. Let's go. It'll be fun," Parker said trying to persuade Scarlett to go swimming. Parker walked over to the water and dipped his fingers in it. "It's actually not even that cold."

[Avery Griffith]

Avery grudgingly admired Alex's present to Scarlett. When Scarlett spoke, she laughed. "We'll be sure to patch you up if then," she said in response to Scarlett's less than enthusiastic view on swimming. "Come now," she said, hands on her hips. "Do you really think we'd let you drown?" she asked, rolling her eyes. She laughed, "I'm sure Parker will make sure you don't," she said her eyes twinkling in light of the situation. "It's more fun than you think," she assured her. Avery walked over to what looked like an orange, folded-up tent on the ground. After a few seconds of tinkering with it, it popped open into a three door closet sized changing room. "Ta-dah!" she said with a grin, satisfied that it had worked.

"My dad borrowed it from his friend," she explained, "It's stocked with swimsuits, so you can change into them in there," she said, pointing to it. Avery herself already had her swimsuit on. After all, she had planned the party, and knew swimming would be involved. She kicked off her color-change converse and socks, waiting for the others to do the same. She looked at Scarlett again. "I'm sure you'll love it," she assured her. She put her hands on her hips and looked smug, "Do you really think I'd ask you to swim if you wouldn't love it?" she asked with a grin. Avery then pulled off her t-shirt and jeans, wearing her bright, multicolored bikini.

Grinning, she turned towards the lake and dove in. She sputtered to the top. "Come on, Scarlett," she urged, "Parker's right, it isn't cold," she said, crossing her fingers. She wouldn't know either way with her immunity to extreme temperatures. She backstroked out a bit further then started to tread water. "You'll have fuuuunnn," she pleaded with a laugh.

[Alexandria Potter]

Alex was barely able to contain her eye roll when she saw Avery frowning in her direction. Alex figured that Avery thought she was being "overprotective" but Alex really didn't care. When Parker smiled and extended her hand, Alex just couldn't help but smile back and shake his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well Parker," Alex said politely. Smiling, Alex leaned over towards Scarlett to whisper in her ear. "He's hot Scarlett. You pick 'em good," Alex said with a giggle.

Alex frowned when Avery mentioned something about swimming. This girl is out of her mind if she thinks that I'm going anywhere near water with her. I so don't have a death wish. Just as Alex was about to say no to swimming, Scarlett protested to doing it. Oh thank Merlin. I knew I liked this girl for a reason. Alex's joy was short lived however as both Parker and Avery started to try to convince her to swim. Figuring that Scarlett would go ahead and agree, Alex sighed and shook her head. "I guess that swimming isn't such a bad idea," Alex said as she eyed the tent that Avery had erected warily. Alex wouldn't put it past Avery to have it charmed so that if she walked into it it crushed her but then again, that would upset Scarlett and Alex didn't think that Avery would do that at Scarlett's birthday party. Any other day yes, but not today.

Alex took off her shoes and jacket and made her way over to the tent and took a breath before entering. Alex hesitated for a moment, waiting to see if she would be crushed and when she was satisfied that she wasn't, Alex started looking through the swimsuits to decide which one she would wear. Once she found the perfect one, Alex smirked and proceeded to change into it. Coming out of the tent, Alex placed her folded clothes next to the tent and turned towards the water with her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face.

"Hey Gr-Avery! I gotta say you have some good taste in swimsuits although I was surprised to find this one in there," Alex said, gesturing to the green and silver halter bikini that Alex was currently wearing. Approaching the water, Alex dipped her feet in first to check that it was indeed warm. Once she was satisfied that it was, Alex took a few steps back before doing a running dive into the water. Once she surfaced, Alex couldn't help herself but swim over to Avery. "Hey, what's the deal with this Parker guy? Do you know much about him," Alex asked Avery.

[[I know that the bikini is actually green and white but let's pretend that its green and silver ]]

[Scarlett Connory]

"Well that was very sweet of you," Scarlett responded to Parker batting her long eyelashes a little more than was necessary and returned his smile, not thinking she herself could match his. She stared at him for a moment, something that once one started doing they could hardly stop. She tore her dark eyes away from his and brought them over to where Vee was standing as him and Alex began to talk for a moment. Scarlett wondered if Avery felt left out right now. That wouldn't be right since she was the one who had planned this entire thing, anyone. She made a mental note to pay a lot of attention to Avery today. She wanted to ask her if she had heard anything from Lily, whether she was coming or not.

Scarlett turned her head forward upon hearing Alex started to say something. Her eyes were downcast as she listened and began to blush. Scarlett elbowed her lightly in the stomach and tried not to make eye contact with Parker, wondering if he had heard what she said.

With Alex's consent and in order to put an end to all of Vee's pleading she finally gave in. "Fine..." Scarlett was worried about multiple things having to do with swimming. First off, drowning. But she couldn't possibly drown with three of her friends there, could she? Second off, wearing a swimsuit... especially in front of Parker. She sighed as she waited for Alex to finish changing. She wanted to talk to Parker but she didn't know what to say so instead she waited for Parker to first. Her thoughts were all over the board and her mood dramatically changed with each one.

When Alex came out she gave her a smile and went into the tent herself. She didn't know what to choose. A bikini? She didn't exactly feel comfortable doing that, but Vee and Alex had. Scarlett scanned the racks deciding she would just pick a random one. When she pulled the thing out she gagged. It was hideous with ruffles and fabric jutting out everywhere. She quickly stuck it back in its place and decided to pull out an orange polka dotted one and deemed it as satisfactory, not wanting to waste any more time. Feelinga bit self-conscious she walked out and slowly went in the water finding that everyone else was right, the water wasn't that bad.

(This was a lot better the first three time I wrote it! Everytime I did it it messed up and I am getting sooo frustrated lol!)

[Avery Griffith]

Avery instinctively backed up when Alex swam near her. She saw the bikini Alex had picked out and couldn't help but think about the whole 'Slytherin Pride' deal again. Anyway, she listened as Alex asked her question, careful to stay out of choking distance. She laughed, "Started to second-guess all Ravenclaws now, eh?" she asked with a smirk. "Boy, I didn't think I had that much influence on you," she teased. She managed to keep it light, making sure Alex got the hint that she wasn't going to get into an all out fight, but they were not exactly 'buddies'. Avery rolled her eyes, "Look, I've only met him twice, but he seems alright with me," she said. "On second thought, since I think he's okay, he must be terrible, right?" she laughed.

She looked up to that, indeed, Scarlett had decided to swim after all. She was wearing an orange bikini, but looked as though she'd rather be wearing a bee-suit by the way she was carrying herself. She emitted self-consciousness rays from a mile off. Avery swam over to where Scarlett was standing, near the shallower end. Avery stood up and crossed her arms. Feeling no shame in wearing a bikini herself, she rolled her eyes at Scarlett. "You look fine," she assured her, pulling her towards the shoulder high part of the lake. "Look, no way you'll drown," she said. "Besides," she added, "I don't think Parker'll object to the swimsuit anyway," she said with a laugh.

[Parker Green]

Parker couldn't help but laugh when he heard Alex's comment to Scarlett about him. Waiting till Alex had moved away to go change, Parker smiled at Scarlett and cupped her chin gently so she have to look him in the eyes. "You have nothing to be blushing about Lettie. Be proud of what you have. Especially when what you have is the gorgeous specimen that is me," Parker said with a chuckle as he hugged Scarlett close.

Letting Scarlett go so she could go change, Parker turned to grab himself a bit to drink. As he sipped his drink, his mind turned to Scarlett naturally. He had been tossing a certain idea around in his head ever since he wrote to his mother, requesting the necklace for her. He couldn't help but be nervous and made a mental note to write her to meet him privately so he could get everything off of his mind. When Parker heard Scarlett come out of the tent, he turned around and his jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

Scarlett looked absolutely gorgeous in her orange polka dot bikini. Parker smiled as he made his way over to the tent, still staring at Scarlett out of the corner of his eye, at how self conscious Scarlett seemed to be. As Parker picked through the different swimming trunks, Parker thought for a moment that he actually liked that in Scarlett. He didn't to have a girl completely flaunting her body all over the place and Parker was pleased that Scarlett didn't seem like that type of girl. Finally selecting a pair of blue trunks with some white and black in it and exited the tent, dumping his clothes next to the tent. Stretching slightly, Parker glanced done at his body and looked pleased. I have to say, I look damn good for a twelve year old! Parker laughed a little at his thought as he made his way towards the water.

Parker entered the water just in time to hear Avery's comment about him not minding seeing Scarlett in her swimsuit. Parker just blushed and glared slightly at Avery. "Shut it Avery," Parker said a bit embarassed and with a splash in Avery direction. Clearing his throat, Parker ducked under water to get himself completely wet and surfaced up in front of Scarlett. "I have to say m'dear, you look stunning," Parker said quietly while giving Scarlett a smile. Parker held his hand out and winked at Scarlett. "You can hold my hand as we go out into deeper water or you can get on my back. If you're comfortable with that of course," Parker said quickly.

[[Yes, before anyone bothers to say it...I am aware that Parker is incredibly conceited! ]]

[Avery Griffith]

Avery, overcome by a fit of hysterics at Parker's reaction to her comment, ducked aside to avoid the splash. "Whatever you say," she said with a knowing grin. Avery swam back out to where Alex was, feeling that she should at least give Scarlett and Parker some privacy before the party really got started. However, being half elf did have its advantages at some points. For instance, from halfway across the lake, Avery could hear Parker's quiet affirmation that, indeed, he didn't mind Scarlett's choice of swimsuit. Smiling, she faced determinedly away from them, making sure it looked as if she couldn't hear them.

Avery clambered atop the large rock in the middle of the lake, her favorite spot. The rock only stuck up out of the water about an inch, but it was enough so that it stayed dry. She sat on it, listening to the water lapping around it, and, more importantly, to Scarlett and Parker's conversation. She was feeling rather guilty all the while. Heck, what they don't know won't hurt them, she thought to herself. Only Lily and Gemini knew about Avery's 'special abilities' or her 'Unfair Advantage' as she liked to call it. It wasn't as if she liked being half elf, anyway. She made a mental note to tell Scarlett about being half elf.

Avery was awakened from her daydreaming when she heard Parker talk about taking Scarlett into the deeper water. She sat up and dangled her feet over the side of the rock into the water, watching Scarlett and Parker. "Come on, Scarlett!" she called.

[Scarlett Connory]

Scarlett raised an eyebrow at Parker. She took what he said lightly, not paying much mind to it, but it was a bit conceited. She hadn't really thought about it too much but he was often. As he hugged her she told herself she could deal with someone like that. Scarlett didn't respond having nothing to say. Once he let go she gave him a strained smile and went off to change.

Once in the water she tried to smile at Vee's words and let her pull her into the water a little bit deeper. She blushed again as Vee said something about Parker not objecting to the swimsuit and pushed her back lightly with a wide grin on her face. Scarlett heard Parker behind her and turned around to see him. Parker, blushing? That was sure a sight. She laughed lightly as he splashed Avery. She turned back around, watching Avery as she laughed and ducked out of the way, then began swimming off to where Alex was. Golly they sure were getting along better than she thought they would.

While being in a completely different place mentally she gasped as she heard and saw something pop up in front of her. Cool it, Scarlett. It's just Parker. Gosh, what is wrong with you? Scarlett told herself. She looked up at him momentarily before returning her eyes to their downcast position as he said she looked stunning. She was happy he thought so. "You don't look too shabby yourself," she responded as she looked back up at him with a smile.

Scarlett took Parker's hand absently looking over at Vee as she said to come on. This wasn't Scarlett's idea of fun, but hey she wasn't about to ruin the party. She would love the water if she knew how to swim. "Uhhh..." Scarlett thought about how to respond, a lot was on her mind today and it was hard to concentrate on any one thing. "Whatever you want me to do, dear," Scarlett responded finally not sure how comfortable it would be to carry around someone on ones back.

For a moment she turned around impatiently scanning the distance for Lily, but there wasn't anything there. She was filled with disappointment, wishing that she would just come and ease her mind. If she was still mad then Scarlett wanted to show her who she was now. And the fact that her parents hadn't bothered sending anything for an entire school year almost wasn't helping the whole good mood thing. Scarlett sighed discontent, but not wanting to be so. Avery had worked hard to do this for her and she had to be happy for her sake and everyone elses who had shown.

[Avery Griffith]

Avery put her hands on her hips, seeing Scarlett's discontentment. She slid into the water and swam over. "Look, Scarlett," she said sternly. "You're never going to get used to the water until you see the whole thing," she said. "So go ahead and put your face in and look around," she said. She demonstrated by taking a dramatically large breath and ducking under. She came back up after a few seconds and wiped her red hair out of her face. "Alright, then once you're under, blow air out your nose," she instructed, "But don't breathe in," she warned.

Avery's foot slid off of the shallow edge of the lake and she started to tread water. "Then, once you're comfortable going under, just move your arms and legs as if you were crawling," she said, demonstrating. "And you're swimming!" she announced with a grin.

[OOC: Blech. It's hard teaching someone to swim via the interwebs =P]

[Valin Seiquance]

Valin wasn't exactly sure where he was going, he didn't need to know. He walked around outside aimlessly wondering where his thoughts would absently take him. He heard someone speaking from a distance and wondered who it was, he hadn't seen anybody for so long and hadn't ever even met anyone except that Avery girl. Valin wasn't sure about her, he wasn't sure about anything right now.

Silently he wandered over to where the voices were coming from. The lake, ah swimming on a fine day such as this one. Momentarily Valin wondered on why there was this small gathering but his unspoken question was answered by the 'Happy Birthday Scarlett' sign. He scanned the people at the gathering wondering which one was Scarlett. He recognized Avery, the bright red hair gave it away at a quick glance. Then there was some guy by a brunette and another blonde closer to where Avery was.

Valin took a guess, thinking that the brunette was this Scarlett. The blonde seemed to distant. Valin chuckled quietly at himself for being so interested in something that didn't pertain to him at all. When he caught view of 'Scarlett's' face he raised an eyebrow, golly she was pretty. Without thought he walked towards the lake waiting for someone in the crowd to take notice of him and greet him or invite him to join in their party.

[Parker Green]

Parker noticed that Scarlett didn't seem to happy and frowned. Putting his hand on Scarlett's shoulder, he looked into her eyes trying to gauge how she really feeling. "Hey, you okay," Parker asked softly, his voice laced with concern. This was supposed to be a good day for Scarlett and Parker didn't want anything messing it up. "Is there anything you want to talk about. We don't have to go out into the deeper water if you don't want. We can just stay here and talk if you want," Parker said seriously.

Almost as if on cue, Avery came over and started trying to get Scarlett into deeper water. Parker couldn't help but burst into hysterics when Avery started going through this whole thing of getting Scarlett to go under water and everything. "Oh my gosh Avery, that was too funny," Parker said teasingly. Flashing Avery and Scarlett both smiles, Parker happened to glance over his shoulder and noticed that there was another guy who showed up and that he was looking at Scarlett. Parker narrowed his eyes slightly and turned back to Avery. "Hey Avery, some guy has just showed up," Parker said a bit stiffly. Parker looked down at the water for a moment and thought about why he suddenly was irritated. Am I jealous? NO, I'm not jealous. At least...not yet.

[[yeah, that was a crappy post.]]

[Gemini Belua]

Gemini was triumphant. She'd finished her small project that had kept her singularly occupied, quite a rarity.The had had inspiration or it from an old muggle movie and folklore, and had worked to recreate the effects. Lifting the clear crystal that represented the first stage of months of work, she grinned a smile that was by no means innocent, and turned it this way. Gently, gracefully and skilfully, Gemini rolled the crystal along her arms and twirled it around her hands, satisfied, she allowed the crystal to be wrapped in a delicate cloth and placed it inside a snugly fit, square box, covered in pink poodles.

Looking outside at the sun, she realized her timing was perfect, she was never late, everyone else was simply early. She had a party to attend, and so attaching a small note to the box, she calmly made her way outside to the lake. The sun was warm and inviting, and Gemini simply soaked it up, it was glorious. Suddenly feeling like a miscreant, she skipped mischievously out to the large group. She knew all the girls, but only vaguely recalled seeing either of the boys around. It didn't really matter, this was about Scarlett, and Scarlett was turning 13. At least she hoped so, otherwise the little history behind her present wouldn't make sense.

And so approaching the group, at a full paced skip, Gemini sang, not badly, at the top of her lungs, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! YOU'RE LOOKING QUITE BLUE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SCARLETT! YOUVE GOT QUITE A QUEUE!" After all, everyone was lining up to talk to the girl. And so, moving quickly, Gemini dragged the boy, who was hanging back and had his eyes set on Scarlett forward with her, she thrust the box forward to Scarlett, and then with a skip and a jump, leapt into the lake with a large splash, fully clothed.

The little note on the box, when Scarlett eventually got around to it, would read: 'It's a crystal. Nothing more. But if you turn it this way and look into it, it will show you your dreams.'

[Scarlett, the crystal idea is from the movie 'Labyrinth'.]

[Avery Griffith]

Avery grinned, looking off near the castle at the two newcomers. The happy birthday singing was none other than the infamous Gemini. She didn't really recognize the other person at first though. Luckily, it clicked more quickly than usual. "Hello, Gemini and Valin," she said, swimming over to where Gemini had cannon-balled. She snatched a glance at the present she had given Scarlett and raised a questioning look at the pink poodle bedecked box. "So I see you're joining the party," she said, laughing at Gemini's bold entrance.

Avery looked back at the still lingering Valin. "You're welcome to come to the party!" she called from the water. "I'm sure Scarlett won't mind," she said, glancing at Scarlett for confirmation. "She's turning twelve!" she added with a grin. Avery noticed Valin's eyes were locked on Scarlett. She nudged Scarlett, "Geez, you've got quite the fanclub," she said quietly with a grin. She noticed Parker's... jealous?... look towards Valin. Feeling it best to introduce everyone so that they'd at least be on speaking terms, she said, "This is Parker, Scarlett, Alex, Gemini, and Valin," she said feeling it best to say all names. "And I'm Avery," she added, "Nice to meet you," she said, shaking hands with Gemini.

[Scarlett Connory]

Scarlett looked back to Parker as he put a hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said hurriedly not even convincing herself. "It's just..." she trailed off looking back to where her eyes had been previously and then flickering her gaze back to Parker. "Lily hasn't come yet and I'm afraid she's still mad at me. Not that I would blame her is she was, I was a jerk to her Parker," Scarlett said swallowing deeply. "And my parents haven't..." Scarlett began but was cut off by Avery.

Trying to teach Scarlett how to swim was not an easy task. She went under as instructed and almost flipped out when she did. When she tried to breathe out her nose she, without thinking, breathed in through her mouth and immediately came back to shore coughing the water up like crazy. "Gosh, Vee," she said between heavy breaths and coughs, "I don't," another deep breath, "think this is going to work," she rushed the words out before she went into another coughing fit.

Scarlett looked over at what Parker was talking about. A lonely looking boy whom she had never met was standing there, and staring at her, too. She giggled with another flood of red in her cheeks as Avery made the comment about her growing fanclub. Scarlett turned back to Parker, and by the look on his face that probably wasn't the appropriate response. She smiled at him.

Raising an eyebrow she watched as Gemini entered, dragging that poor poor boy along with her. She felt sorry for him having to be first greeted by Gemini and was glad that Avery invited him to join. Scarlett laughed as she sang and was glad Gemini had indeed decided to show up. Scarlett attempted to catch the pink poodled box but with her tragically bad hand-eye coordination she missed it.

[Valin Seiquance]

Valin looked away from the girl he assumed to be Scarlett when the boy she was with gave him a look and then she looked over. He walked on forward a few steps wondering what it was the two had been conversing about, but his thoughts were interrupted as he felt himself being pulled forward by an eccentric girl. He was kind of freaked out and was happy that she released him finally before she jumped in.

Valin straightened out his shirt and looked back up as she cannonballed into the water fully dressed, wow she seemed like an odd one, kind off the wall, he liked that, though. When Avery invited him to join them he gave her a quick smile and pulled off his shirt. He kicked off his shoes and jumped in in his shorts.

Drifting on over to Scarlett he gave her a smile. "Hey, happy birthday," he would introduce himself but Avery had already took the liberty of doing that for him. "Hey Avery," he called over to her. Valin wasn't sure if anyone else besides this group of people even existed at Hogwarts anymore, there were so few people. "And you must be Parker, right?" He asked the guy by Scarlett. "Good, another guy. At least I'm not the only one," he said with a relief in his voice.

[Parker Green]

Parker smiled softly at Scarlett and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "Hey, don't you even worry your pretty little head about it. Things will come around, I'm sure of it," Parker said smiling down at Scarlett. "Now perk up little Lettie, its you birthday party and I will not have you here being sad!" Parker smiled as he let Scarlett go so she could try to go under the water.

Parker shook his head at the sight of Avery and Scarlett swimming. Before Parker could comment however, he noticed a girl whom he had never met before jump into the lake with all of her clothes on, followed by the boy, Valin Avery had said, who thankfully decided on a less...enthusiastic entrance. When Avery went through the introductions, Parker couldn't help but smile a bit when Valin expressed relief in the fact that there was another boy around. "Yeah, same here. I think I'd go crazy if I had to spend one more minute with these crazy girls here," Parker said teasingly towards Scarlett and Avery. "What house are you in Valin," Parker asked, hoping that he said Ravenclaw.

[[Had to right this quickly so it didn't turn out as good as i wanted it.]]

[Avery Griffith]

"Scarlett," she said, "I'm sure Lily's fine. Maybe she's gone home for some reason," she shrugged. There were plenty of reasons Lily might not be there, and Avery, the eternal optimist, decided it must be something important. "Besides," she said, "like Parker said, it's nothing to worry about," she assured. "If you're not satisfied with what you've got now, you never will be," she said, quoting one of her father's favorite sayings. She watched as Scarlett began to try swimming and started sputtering to the top.

"Look," she said, "You're freaking yourself out before you even start," she said. "You have it already in your head that you're going to drown so you'll never get anywhere with that attitu--" she stopped, frowning behind Scarlett. "Well, Mr. Green, I don't suppose you can do it better?" she said raising an eyebrow at his shaking head. Smiling to herself, she swam over near Valin and Gemini, letting the romantic two try their hand at the swimming lesson. Scarlett would probably enjoy being taught by Parker rather than herself anyway, she reasoned. She chose to ignore the crack about her craziness, for indeed, a bit of insanity was necessary for a person to have any fun at all. However, she did choose to stick her tongue out in reply.

[Gemini Belua]

The water was refreshingly cool against Gemini's skin. So while she duck dived and swam around under the surface, she let herself observe the others. Scarlett was obviously being taught how to swim, Gemini had full faith in the girl's ability to learn, so she didn't worry herself over it. In fact, Avery had just hand-balled the teaching over to the another boy, Parker, Avery said, who also had a tendency to make oogly eyes at Scarlett. And so that pair were now having a little romantic, sweety moment, that Gemini had never held much interest in for herself. And of course Gemini would notice how the first boy, Valin, had kept himslef slightly distanced from her. She grinned slightly insanely under the water, it amused her.

So, noting Avery's movement, Gemini dived deep into the water, where no one would be able to see her from the surface, and made her to just underneath Avery. Slowly, Gemini began to rise behind the girl, and grabbing her feet, she tugged, hard, managing to pull Avery under with her. Smirking, Gemini quickly began to swim away from Avery, knowing revenge was just around the corner. She looked forward to it.

[Avery Griffith]

Avery was sort of zoning out as Scarlett and Parker flirted and everyone else just kind of lazed about. She watched Scarlett and Parker while also looking behind them for any sign of anyone else who wanted to join the party. Suddenly, she felt something latch onto her ankles. She yelped as she was pulled under the water. Spinning about, she pushed her red hair out of her face and saw Gemini through the murky water. "Ohhh," she said, getting ready to pounce. She was grinning rather crazily, circling the brown-haired Slytherin.

Avery, while still circling her, wrapped her legs around Gemini's ankles, pulling in the opposite direction, attempting to pull her under the water by making her lose her footing. She swam away towards the large rock in the center, waiting for Gemini to retaliate this time. She stuck her tongue out childishly, then grinned smugly in her direction.

[Gemini Belua]

With eyes twinkling slightly insanely, Gemini was dumped under the water thanked to Avery's super human reflexes. Allowing herself to be fully submerged, she released the air in her lungs and quickly sank. Then pulling from the endless folds of her robes her wand, Gemini performed the bubble head. At least, that's what she had intended to do. Except for some reason, most likely her trying to say the spell whilst underwater, it didn't work the first time. Not paying any mind to this, she performed the spell again, except saying the words in her mind as well as underwater, and that did the trick. Gemini now had a nice air bubble around her head.

Little did Gemini know, that the first time Gemini performed the spell, instead of doing the 'bubble head' charm, she ended up with a 'bubble gum pink head'. And so, blissfully unaware, Gemini around to the opposite side of the rock she'd seen Avery head to. Quietly rising, Gemini silently slipped onto the rock behind the red head, and with a great leap, tackled Avery, landing the pair with a great splash back in the water. Coming back to the surface laughing, Gemini yelled in good humour, "I got you Lil' Red!"

[Avery Griffith]

Avery scoured the surface of the water, looking for any glimpse of Gemini. However, to her dismay, she couldn't find her. This was making her rather paranoid. She looked about again, over where Scarlett and Parker was? Nope. Where Alex was? Not there either. Where Valin was? Still nothing. Gemini, of course, was sneaking up behind her. Not that Avery had any idea, though.

Avery was thrown forward off the rock, hearing Gemini's cry of triumph. She was submerged into the water, unable to see through its murkiness, so she swiped blindly at Gemini. Finally needing to resurface, she gasped for air. She spun around, looking for her attacker... and consequently burst out laughing. The red head, overcome with a fit of the giggles, fell onto her side into the water. She clutched onto the side of the rock again, pulling herself up for breath. She looked at Gemini with a grin. "How on earth did you manage that one?" she asked, still hiccuping with laughter, "Huh, Lil' Pink?" she grinned.