The King of Rest and Recreation: Chance Ryker was planning his next lazy day's activities.  Staring out over the lake and the surrounding area with his best friend Kimberly "Kim Kim" Chan, Chance was brainstorming.  Chance was clad in a black t-shirt with a sun print bursting out of the cest, casting solar flares up the shoulders and around the sides to his back, along with a pair of grey, worn jeans, and black, grey trimmed sneakers.  Strangely enough, Chance was only wearing his one black, leather wristband with the silver hooks leading to the chain that held his ebony and cabote wand at bay.

"So we can set up a tire swing on that tree there...Looks sturdy 'nuff!"

"Sounds smashing, luv!"

The Irishman stroked his smooth chin as he quirked an ebon brow and gazed about the area.

"Could lay out a buncha beach towels on that grassy knoll there...fer th' sunbathin' beauties o' course."

"Of course!  You can be sure I'll be paying a visit to one of those towels."

"Never wuzzer a doubt, lass!"

Chance smirked at Kim Kim, then gestured to a small shade tree.

"Can put a cooler or two under th' tree t'keep drinks cool..."

"Who's on drink control patrol?"

"Yeah...yer right, ruddy drunken buzzards'll probably try an' crash an' get everybody smashed.  Immature, ruddy idiots...Maybe Grace?  She'd bite their 'eads clean off, eh?"

Kim Kim stifled a giggle and shook her silky black hair.

Allie held three books in her arms as she made her way down the lawn.  It was a gorgeous day--so much so that she couldn't fathom wasting the day studying in the library; studying on the grounds would much better.  Her bag was slung over her robes--she wore her school robes nearly all the time--and the tip of her wand stuck out of her pocket.  She quickly arrived to her favorite study tree, so quickly that she barely noticed that it was already occupied. 

Chance, she knew, was a friend of her brother Craig and though she wasn't positive, she suspected he had probably been friends with Kieran as well.  Craig had been the life of the party at Hogwarts and quite the troublemaker.  He was loud and proud in all that he did.  Allie, of course, did not share the same social tendencies.

"Planning another bash there, eh, Ryker?"  She asked, somewhat disappointed that she had lost her perfect study tree to someone planning how to best waste a good afternoon.  Of course, Allie had always been invited to such gatherings--but she felt that the invitations were more out of her relationship to Craig and not because she was any great socialite.  Of course, that wasn't to say Allie didn't have fun--she quite enjoyed hanging out with her closest friends and all that entailed--but she also had a strict regard for the rules set forth and did not like to toe near them as her brothers had.

Allie smiled at Kim-Kim and greeted her, though she did not know her well.

Chance's brainstorming had him too preoccupied to notice Allie Hargrove's approach immediately.  Kim Kim however tugged at Chance's sleeve and waved enthusiastically to Allie with a bright smile.  It seemed Kim Kim was always up, kind, and outgoing.  It was no wonder that Chance so enjoyed being around her.

"Hi Allie!"

Chance did know Craig quite well and hated to see that particular Hargrove graduate.  The two had become rather close, though Chance knew Kieran more at a distance because of their 4 year age difference.  Nonetheless, Chance definitely enjoyed the Hargrove clan.  However, Allie was her own person...and that was cool by Chance; it just took some getting used to.

"That I am, lass.  Yer not crammin' th' books down yer own throat again, are ya?"

Chance smirked somewhat playfully to Allie, meaning no ill will whatsoever, but slacking seemed almost synonymous with this Irish wizard.  However, he was attempting to make some proactive changes in his life to broaden his horizons.

"So...tire swing, towels fer tannin', shady spot fer a cooler...I wonder if anybody's got a grill?"

These were the early stages of tossing around ideas and it seemed Allie was offered to join in.

"That I am, lass.  Yer not crammin' th' books down yer own throat again, are ya?"

Allie rolled her eyes, smirking.  She looked down at her books and let the fall to her feet with a loud thud.  "Forgive me for wanting a more-than-decent job when I get out of Hogwarts.  You know Craig is bartending somewhere in London because he couldn't find anything decent with his barely passed NEWTS."

"And, you're looking for a grill?  Surely hanging out with Craig as much as you did taught you that you weren't supposed to do work and that there was a hoard of houseelves at Hogwarts that would be more than glad to make you a feast."  Allie was shocked at herself; for a brief moment, she had been channeling her brother's care-free attitude about life. 

She quickly recovered, clearing her throat before stating, "But, you really should think about your schoolwork, y'know."  Allie looked down and took a seat on the grass.  There was not yet any snow on the ground, but the wind brought a cool breeze.  Opening one of her books she pulled out a folded piece of parchment to reread while Chance continued bouncing ideas off of Kim-Kim; the piece was a letter from her eldest brother, Kevin.  It was a letter she had had for a couple weeks but was just getting around to replying.

((A link to the letter <here>))

Chance lifted a brow and his grin spread a bit as he heard her books thump to Allie's feet.

"Sure.  I'll fergive ya.  No harm, no foul."

Though he knew quite well that Allie was not actually apologizing, he had always been playful and enjoyed interacting with the Hargroves as a general rule.

"See?  Ya've got some practical skills that show ya wanna enjoy yer life an' not just wittle it away with workin' an' studyin'.  That shows some promise, lit'l Ms.Hargrove!"

Allie was probably growing more and more accustomed to Chance's teasing.  He would have to take Allie's recommendation to heart about the houseelves. 

"M'doin' fairly well I must say, thank ya very much!  So how are yer no account brothers doin' anyhow?"

Chance hadn't gotten to hear directly from Kevin since his graduation.  That tended to change things quite a bit and it actually scared Chance to think that his life too would have to change so drastically upon graduation.

"I'd invite 'em along, if they'd see fit to grace us with their good presence."

Little did Chance know that she was reading from one her brothers at that very moment.  He also would never have expected the support of the Headmistress from Kevin in regard to the werewolf ban at Hogwart's.

"Kieran just got a job doing something in France, Craig is just bartending and living in a little flat in London," she said, simply.  She wasn't sure how to begin any sort of response to Kevin's letter; instead, she folded it back up and put it in her pocket. 

"I'd invite 'em along, if they'd see fit to grace us with their good presence."

Allie chuckled, knowing that the last place Kieran or Craig wanted to be was at Hogwarts.  Even though Craig was only fresh out of it's stone halls, he figured himself to be an adult and above such things.  Now, he was enjoying staying out to all hours of the night and treating the fine ladies of London to a night on the town--he was quite like her eldest brother, Kevin, in that regard.

"I don't think they're going to want to hang out at good ol' Hogwarts.  They're adults," she drew out the word sarcastically, "after all."

"So, what are you guys planning anyway?" She figured it was useless trying to crack open a book; she'd never be able to concentrate.

"So a French somethin'-doer an' a drunken buzzard London-ite?"

Chance meant no harm by teasing Allie's siblings through her.  Though he did find it humorous that Kieran was described quite generically as "doing something in France".

"They're dolts, fer sure lass."

He grinned and spread his arms out to either side.

"M'thinkin' o' organizin' a good natured lit'l get together 'ere at th' lake soon.  I really need t'expand m'horizons, meet some new people, get involved.  All that sorta rot!"

Chance wasn't completely oblivious though.

"If ya need t'study we'll keep it down though."

Kim Kim gave the A-OK symbol and nodded agreeably. 

"I ran out of duct tape for Chance's mouth though, so if you have any shut mouth spells that would help tons?"

Chance smirked and Kim Kim threw her arms around his neck.

"Sowwy!"

"Yeah yeah...that's what they all say!"

"No, no...it's fine.  I left the quiet of the library at my own risk, and it's actually a nice little break," Allie said, simply.  Despite how tempting it was to take the time to study, she recognized that such nice days would be few and far between once the sleet and snow and ice froze the grounds of the castle.  Though Allie did enjoy a good snowball fight, she wasn't a fan of being freezing cold when she could be perfectly toasty in front of the fire in the common room.

"I'm not really studying much anyway, just trying to finish up some mail," she reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of new parchment, a quill, and a bottle nearly empty of ink.  Allie drew her knees close to her and propped one of the books on her knees; she used it to press upon as she began to write, (taking extra care to not make mistakes,)

---

---

'Now, what to say to someone you really haven't spoken to in years...I wonder when the last time was she talked to Kevin,' Allie thought to herself, tapping the end of her quill against her knees.

Chance and Kim Kim both nodded in response to Allie's statement.  It seemed she was dealing with the situation with little, if any agitation.

"Ahh, well 'at's good.  Anythin' interestin'?  Didja already maybe perhaps kinda sorta win $10,000,000?"

Chance still seemed stuck in the world of the muggles, even when referencing money.  Perhaps it was because he so heavily identified with his muggle father instead of his more overbearing, achievement oriented, witch of a mother.

"Chance, I'm going to go and pick out decorations.  It's probably not your type of thing, but you're welcome to come?  You too Allie?"

"Ehhh...yer right.  Definitely not m'thing.  Why do we even need decorations anyway?"

"Because it's fun, silly one!  Don't be a spoilsport.  Just keep on planning...and listen to Allie.  She's got good ideas!  Bye you two!"

Chance tossed up a hand as Kim Kim waved with that bright smile of hers and trotted away.

"Spoilsport...puh!"

"Just keep on planning...and listen to Allie.  She's got good ideas!  Bye you two!" Kim-Kim bounced off and Allie looked to Chance with an amused expression.  "Y'know, I don't really know Kim-Kim all that well, but I like her...and you should listen to me."  She stuck out her tongue in a playful manner before looking back down at her so-far unwritten letter.

Again, she thought to herself, 'What on earth should I write?  I don't want to sound stupid, but I don't want to sound like I'm just trying to brown-nose her...what if she doesn't remember me?  Then I'll really sound like a fool.'  She continued tapping her quill on her knee.

"So, what do you say to someone that might not even remember you?" she inquired.  She figured Chance to be honest enough to give her a straight answer and tell her if what she was writing made her sound like a prat.  Then again, Allie almost immediately regretted asking.  Surely he would inquire more about the situation, and the fact that she was reaching out to Headmistress Snark wasn't going to make her the most popular person at Hogwarts.

"Uh..nevermind...I've figured out something," she added, pretending to scribble something on the piece of parchment.

If Allie was nervous around Chance, it wasn't showing too much.  He smirked at her playful banter and shook his head.

"Sheesh!  Can't ever get two o' ya girls near each other or go on a ruddy rampage...!"

It seemed that Allie was in rather deep thought, which made Chance tilt his head and examine her facial features more closely.  As she asked him a question...which was rather quickly retracted, Chance's curiosity only grew.

"Y'alright there?  Yer lookin' a wee dab stressed fer somebody jus' writin' a letter."

"Y'alright there?  Yer lookin' a wee dab stressed fer somebody jus' writin' a letter."

Just the simple fact that Chance saw enough stress in her to ask about it was startling to her.  She normally wasn't one to show nerves, but writing this letter was apparently a bigger thing than any other letter.  Would writing it be a direct betrayal of her own friends?  She knew that her friends, most of them members of the group founded on the basis of undermining Headmistress Snark's authority.

Allie preferred to avoid conflict, particularly with those she cared about, but this...this was different.  It wasn't a matter of being unfair to one student, but a matter of being fair to all the others who were at a potential risk--and an unnecessary risk, at that.  Allie's brother had said it best:  "Ana's job isn't to accommodate werewolves, it's to protect you and the others and ensure that your education is never at risk."

"No, no...I'm okay.  I'm just writing to one of my brother Kevin's old friends, haven't spoken to her in a while," Allie said, glancing up at Chance to give him a brief smile before she set back to work.  She figured that the more she thought about it, the harder it would be to write.  It would just be better to do it.

Setting quill back to parchment, she continued,

---

Dear Headmistress Snark,

Hello Headmistress.  I'm not sure if you remember me, but I received post from my brother Kevin Hargrove the other day and he reminded me of your friendship.  He wanted me to make sure you knew that even in France, he's supporting you all the way, as am I.  I'm sure you don't like to think about all of the stresses you have, so I've enclosed something that always makes an afternoon better.

Support is yours,
Allie Hargrove

---

She quit writing and re-read it twice; there were a few things she could have changed, but that would have been at the cost of a smudge on the parchment, or the need to rewrite it.  She moved her shoulder slightly--in an almost shrug to herself--and was mostly satisfied with it.

Something was quite clearly "up."  Chance continued to stare at Allie...with concern.  Wouldn't her brothers have helped her if they were around? 

"'ey...seriously, if somethin's wrong....can I help out with it?"

Chance ambled on over toward Allie and eased to sit down by her at the tree.  He nudged her arm a bit.

"Did you an' this friend 'ave a lit'l fallin' out?"

That's what it seemed like.  Why else would she be straining and sturggling so with a simple letter to an old friend? 

Allie was a horrible liar.  She could not play any game that required secrecy nor could she even skirt around the truth without her conscience attacking her like a hungry man-eating chocolate frog.  As soon as he slid over beside her and nudged her arm, she knew that it was a lost cause...she was moments for cracking.

"No, no...she's not an old friend," She blurted out, unable to stop, "Well, she is, to my brother, but I guess to me, I knew her when I was a kid," She was speaking in a chopped tone, no tidbit really following the last, "But my brother said I should write, and I really should, and I think it's right, but sometimes I'm not, I don't know, not sure, but whatever, whatever, it is what it is..."

She could speak no longer without breath; her last words faded into a wheeze as she took in a deep breath of air.  She took a few more breaths; her outburst had apparently momentarily silenced Chance.  Allie was suddenly very glad that only a few people were out on the grounds at the time, and she doubted any were close enough to hear.

No longer her voice loud and anxious, with a small voice she stated calmly, "Headmistress Snark."

Allie always gave off the illusion of being more composed and together than she actually felt.  That's what it was seeming like to Chance now anyway.  The young Irishman's unusually deep green eyes peered to the younger girl, who suddenly began to spew the entire story in nearly incomprehensible tidbits here and there.

"Wow...now that was certainly a bottled up mess 'o yuck jus' beggin' t'get out!"

Chance blinked a few times, trying to catch up to the train of thought that had just plowed through his mind.

"Ahhh...I didn't really have a clue either o' yer bros were big on Snarky Poo."