Monopoly And Dating ((Casey,Ezzie,Ethan))

[Carson McGreggor H6]

Carson smiled as he and other kids crowded around Ethan Jacobs as he flipped and turned on his skateboard. The sun shone bright in his eyes, making his eyes hurt. Carson was used to the sensation though. He loved the feeling of the sun in his eyes. It warmed up his entire body, and gave him the energy he needed to skate. Ethan’s board skidded to a stop, leaving black marks across the smooth pavement of the courtyard. It was Sunday, and the fifth and sixth years of Hogwarts always gathered here to ride their boards before classes started back up again the following day. It was a tradition that had been going on for ages. He smiled at Ethan, who was waving at a group of second year Ravenclaws staring at him. Carson rolled his eyes. Ethan did have a knack for charming women of all ages and varieties. Carson just wasn’t like him in that way. He flirted with girls on occasion, and he could name plenty of girls who had crushes on him, but Carson just wasn’t into the dating scene like Ethan was. He had never been on a date in his life, and was planning to keep it that way. He just didn’t want to deal with the drama that came along with dating. He didn’t want to deal with someone else’s needs. It did sound rather selfish, but that was the way he was. He didn’t feel it important to have a girlfriend. Carson’s anger issues and almost police record were enough to scare any sane girl away, which is why he never told anyone but Ethan, who was surprisingly good at keeping secrets. No one else (Except for maybe Ethan’s girlfriend Ezzie, who was also an amazing secret keeper) knew of his past and he intended to keep it that way. Another thing that separated him from Ethan was that people were always talking about him. People were constantly talking about his personal life and his relationship with Ezzie. He didn’t know how his friend handled it. He would have punch those stupid paparazzi guts out by now if it were him.

Carson’s turn to skate had come and gone quickly, and pretty soon, the sun was setting. “Hey Car, I told Ez I’d meet her in the lounge later. How about you join us? Casey will be there.” Ethan smirked and Carson punched him. He had always turned to physical abuse when he was angry, which happened a lot. “Can you give that a rest already? Just because we’re both single doesn’t mean we automatically have to like each other.” Carson tried to explain as he walked into the lounge. Casey and Ezzie were both spread out across the carpet floor of the lounge playing a board game. He swallowed hard. He really wished Ethan would give him a rest about his single status. He really didn’t want to be bothered about it. He didn’t like Casey, and that was final. “Hey girls, you mind if we join?” Ethan said as he sat down next to Ezzie. Ezzie giggled which Carson took to be a sickening sign of acceptance. Sometimes, Ethan and Ezzie were just too cute. It made him rather ill to look at them together sometimes. Could that sick feeling inside be jealousy bubbling inside perhaps? No, it couldn’t be. Carson was not jealous of Ethan and Ezzie’s relationship. He was happy for them. He really was happy for them. Carson slid himself down against the wall, on the opposite side of Casey. Ethan and Ezzie were snuggled together to his right. Carson gave Casey a half smile and looked towards the game board. They were playing Monopoly, one of Carson’s least favorite games. He just didn’t have the patience to sit through long hours to play a game to win pretend money. It seemed completely pointless to him. The game of Monopoly seemed to be a whole lot like the world of dating-completely pointless.

((I think it would make sense to keep this order when posting: Carson, Casey, Ezzie, Ethan. Hopefully this way it won’t get too confusing. You might have to god mode Ezzie a bit, but I don’t mind as long as it’s minor))

[Casey Allen G5]

“No.” “Yes.” “No.” “C’mon Joel!” “No.” Casey sighed not even close to giving up. She and her brother were arguing in the courtyard. Casey and Joel were always arguing, but they were brother and sister after all. It was basically their duty to argue. “Dad would never agree to this in the middle of the school year!” He looked around to make sure no one was around. They seemed to be alone. “Dad only books a few things for Eden while you’re at school. They’re all in Hogsmeade and he knows about them all. Besides, you know that dad would never let you model for that designer.” Casey placed her hands on her hips. “C’mon Joel. I’m not a baby and dad isn’t here!” She insisted. “That’s right. Dad isn’t here and when he isn’t here, I’m in charge of you and Eden Sweden.” He whispered the last part of the sentence. “You are no fun.” She said finally giving up. “Not when it comes to not getting my butt beat by dad. Besides, those clothes aren’t for you. You’re fourteen.” Suddenly, a fourth year Ravenclaw girl walked up. “Hey Joel.” She said flirtingly. Joel nearly went gaga over the red head girl. “Hey, hey Nancy.” He said staring into her green eyes. The girl giggled and walked away. “She’s fourteen too.” Casey told him. Joel sighed. “She’s an old fourteen Case.” She gave out an annoyed sighed. “Ah. I give up.” She said throwing her hands up in the air and walking away. Joel shook his head and laughed. “Little sisters.”

Casey made her way to the Student Lounge to meet Ezzie for a game of Monopoly. She would have walked with Ezzie over their, but she had to talk to Joel first. Casey sighed. She didn’t think that he would let her do the photoshoot, but she had to try. Casey didn’t usually like to do big things with Eden during the school year, but this was a top fashion designer that wanted Eden to be the face of her new spring line. Oh well. Maybe next year. Casey dodged the first years that were prancing about as she walked to the Lounge. It wasn’t often that she spent time in the lounge, but it was necessary. Casey was sure that Ethan would be joining since Ezzie and Ethan were back together. And if Ethan came, that pretty much guaranteed that he was bringing Carson along. Since Carson was a Hufflepuff, he couldn’t exactly chill in the lounge with them. Casey knew that Ezzie and Ethan wanted her and Carson to get together. She sighed as she walked through the halls. She really didn’t need another person to lie to. Casey and Ezzie were already lying to Ethan as it was. She couldn’t risk someone else finding out. Casey couldn’t take the risk of a boyfriend, or could she?

“Ezz-Ezz.” Casey joked taking a seat beside Ezzie. She already had the board game laid out. She shook her head slightly. She had already told Ezzie about the photoshoot. “Joel wouldn’t cave that big meanie. When are he and dad gonna realize that I’m not five?” She sighed picking out her game piece. “So, Ethan and Carson are coming I’m assuming?” She said already knowing the answer to the question. “I’m glad you guys are back together because hating people gets annoying.” She joked. Casey was rather mad at Ethan through it all, but she didn’t really hate him. Casey smiled lightly as the boys entered the lounge. They were skate-boarding of course. Casey nodded slightly as Carson took a seat across from her. “Hmm, if you must.” Casey joked in response to Ethan’s question. “Who wants to be an iron and who wants to be a dog?” Casey laughed at her own question as she held the game pieces out for the two.

((Yea, that order is fine. Looks like I have the easier part in this post. ))

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie skipped down the steps that led into the Gryffindor common room. She held a box labeled Monopoly in her hand. She pieces rattled loudly inside the box. Today was Sunday, Saturday, and Ezzie had agreed to meet with Casey for a board game. She wasn’t really sure what gave her the idea, but a four hour long board game seemed to be just the thing to get their mind off their studies. Ethan and his friend Carson were going to join them after an afternoon of skateboarding in the courtyard. It was about four in the afternoon, and since they were playing Monopoly, they would probably be in the lounge for a while. She giggled a bit just for the fun of it and continued to skip out of the common room. She couldn’t understand why she was so perky lately. Maybe it was because she was just so glad to be back together with Ethan. Being with him just made her happy that way. She exited the common room and waved happily to the Fat Lady, who raised her eyebrow but smiled a bit. “That girl is so odd.” She said softly. Ezzie came to the lounge, where she was the first one to arrive. There were other students there of course, but it was basically empty. The lounge was mainly used for inter-house communication. She thought that had it not been for people like Ezzie, Ethan, Carson, and Casey the place would have been deserted all the time. People at Hogwarts tended to stick with their own house. Ezzie liked to think that if they all went to the same school; they just had to live with each other and try their best to get along.

She laid the pieces out on the board. She shuffled the cards and placed them in the correct spots. Ezzie looked down at the little silver pieces. There was the dog, the iron, the sailboat, and the horse. Ezzie looked around at the pieces and finally decided on the horse when Casey entered the lounge. She had told Ezzie before about a photo shoot she wanted to do for a famous designer. She had to ask Joel about it though, and by the look on Casey’s face, the argument had not gone in her favor. “So I take it you don’t get to do the photo shoot?” Ezzie said with a bit of a half smile. Ezzie laughed a bit as Casey started complaining about how her family treated her like she was five.

"Trust me Casey, any family who lets their fourteen year old daughter do what you do for a living doesn’t think she’s five. And why do you want to be older anyway? I’ve been acting like I was way older than fourteen for quite some time now and it’s not as fun as it seems.” Of course Ezzie was referring to the many years she had worked in the hotel for such a long time. She never had any time for fun back then, she was so busy paying bills and trying to make ends meet. Being an adult wasn’t as fun as it seemed, and Ezzie was in no hurry to grow up. She wanted to be fourteen forever. She smiled up at Casey as she placed her horse on the starting point. She heard footsteps coming from the corridor and moments later, Ezzie was staring at the two figures that were Ethan Jacobs and Carson McGreggor. She smiled up at Ethan as he and Carson dropped their skateboards on the armchair closest to them. Ethan walked over to Ezzie and sat down beside her. She smiled as he put his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked over at Casey who held out two pieces to the boys that had just entered the room. Ethan chose the dog, but Carson snatched it first. He laughed a little before taking the small metal iron. Ezzie spoke up.

“So…who’s going first? We could go by age, or we can just go clockwise starting with me.” She looked around at everybody. She though age would be the best way to determine it, as it seemed a little unfair for Ezzie to start.

[Ethan Jacobs G5]

Ethan skated around the courtyard surrounded by a crowd of friends and fans alike. He flipped and jumped and glided around the pavement. He could hear people cheering for him and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small group of Ravenclaw girls giggling and pointing. He smiled as his board dropped to the ground and Ethan skidded to a stop next to his best friend Carson. Carson smiled in his direction and Ethan watched as he jumped on his board and did his thing while others around cheered for him. Carson had been Ethan’s best friend for years, even before they arrived at Hogwarts. They had met when Ethan and Carson were nine. Ethan had been playing in the park with his parents and got lost by where Carson lived. He helped Ethan find his way back and they had been best friends ever since. People who looked at Ethan and Carson at first would think they were exactly alike. They shared the same hobbies, and they were both very good looking. Anyone who dared think that was seriously mistaken. Ethan was much more easygoing and free spirited compared to Carson. He always had a flirty smile on his face while Carson often looked like he wanted to punch someone. Carson had always had anger issues, but he was the nicest guy in the world…other than Ethan of course. Then there was the girl issue. He had plenty of girls falling all over him, and he didn’t want anything to do with them. It didn’t make sense t Ethan, but he supported his friend nonetheless. Carson’s board stopped and they walked off into the castle as the sun was setting. Ethan announced to Carson that they would be going to meet Ezzie in the lounge. He also didn’t hesitate to tease Carson a bit about going out with Casey, but bitterly regretted it when he got punched in the arm. It hurt a bit, but he knew Carson hadn’t actually meant to hurt him.

“Why don’t you just ask her out already? Even if she says no-which is doubtful-then you just move on and ask someone else. Trust me; your reputation can handle the small blow.” Carson just shrugged, which Ethan took to be the end of the discussion. They entered the lounge to find Ezzie and Casey setting up a board of Monopoly on the carpeted floor of the lounge. Ethan sat next to Ezzie and placed his arm around her. She looked up at him with a sweet smile and rested her head on his shoulder. Casey held up two pieces for them to take. “Ooh, the dog is mine!” Ethan exclaimed playfully. It was too late though, for Carson had already grabbed the dog from Casey’s hand. Ethan just shrugged and took the tiny iron. He couldn’t be bothered much with game pieces. If Carson wanted the dog, that was fine with him. They weren’t five year olds, and could easily play a board game without fighting over which pieces they got. Ezzie removed her head from his shoulder for a second to speak. She asked who should go first. Personally, he thought he should be the first to go, but that was just his selfish side. He volunteered to go by age order. Casey and Ezzie were both fourteen, whereas Carson and then were both fifteen. His birthday was in November, and Carson’s was in October. Carson would be the last one to go. He knew Ezzie’s birthday was in mid December, and he didn’t know when Casey’s birthday was.

“Well, I’m in November and Carson is in October. Ezzie is December. When’s your birthday, Casey?”

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey shook her head in response to Ezzie’s question. “Nope, not at all.” She replied. Oh well. Joel was always taking Bradley’s side always. When it came to Casey and Eden, there was no fooling around. Everything had to be done the right way. Apparently, doing a photoshoot for this fashion designer wasn’t the ‘right way’. Casey couldn’t help but thing when she got older things would be different; for her and for Eden. She shook her hair out a bit while eyeing Ezzie. “That’s true.” She replied when Ezzie said that no one would let their daughter do what Casey did for a living if they though she was five. Casey sighed, hating that Ezzie was right. “Yea, your right. You have to have a lot of drive to do what I do and dad knows that I do, but he treats like a baby when it comes to guys or any big decision. “I’ve always wanted to be older.” She told Ezzie. Then again, Casey had a lot easier life than Ezzie had. Ezzie had been through more than Casey could imagine. That was probably how she got to be so strong. “I guess it isn’t so great, huh?”

Casey picked the thimble game piece as the boys joined them. She laughed as Carson snatched the dog from Ethan who then picked out the iron. Ezzie asked who would start first. Casey shrugged. She didn’t care, really. As long as she got to play for awhile it was fine with her. It seemed that Ethan wanted to go in order of birth months. He asked Casey when her’s was. “In February, Valentine’s Day.” She told him easily. Casey had always wondered why her birthday was on the one day of the year that was ruled by love. Casey herself had never been in love so it seemed weird to her that her birth date was the day of love. Why couldn’t it be on St. Patrick’s Day or something? Casey smiled a bit holding the thimble piece in her hand. She thought of her birthday for a moment. She would be at Hogwarts for it, but Bradley liked to plan a birthday party in Hogsmeade usually.

But, Casey had decided against a party for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. After all, Hogwarts would probably have a Ball. That seemed like a better way to spend her birthday than one of Bradley’s goofy parties. Casey eyed Carson casually before looking to Ethan to say something about who starts. She placed the thimble on a random spot on the board before looking out the window. She laughed noticing Joel walking hand-in-hand with Nancy. Casey looked to Ezzie and then to the distant figures walking along the grounds. “The nerve of that boy.” She said shaking her hand and eyeing Joel.

[Carson McGreggor H6]

Casey held up a set of pieces; a dog and an iron. Carson immediately went for the dog, even though Ethan called it first. He always though he acted like a dog and people told him so as well. He was loyal like a dog, but he tended to get very angry at times. His bark was just as bad as his bite, to be sure. But Carson didn’t choose the dog for that reason; he simply chose it because it was better than playing as an iron. Carson hated to clean; he was simply much too lazy. He grabbed the dog, and brushed Casey’s finger just a bit. Carson thought nothing of it, it was just an accident. He placed his dog piece between Ethan’s iron and Casey’s thimble. He heard Ethan ask when Casey’s birthday was. He was surprised Ethan didn’t know. After all, this was his girlfriend’s best friend. She spent just as much time in Ethan’s house as he and Ethan did. The four of them were together all the time. This was probably why Ezzie and Ethan wanted him to get together with Casey. They would be adorable, like right out of a romantic comedy. Adorable couple has been together for ages. Each has a best friend. These two friends didn’t like each other at all, but the couple pushes them to and eventually, it’s double date central. It made Carson quite sick to think about it. He hated things that were overly cute. That was why he preferred a dog to a puppy, or a cat to a kitten. They were just so cliché, just like Ezzie and Ethan. Casey answered Ethan and told him her birthday was on Valentine’s Day. How great, another cliché. The world was full of them. Carson wondered why she was still single, if her birthday was on the world wide day for love. Carson pushed the thought from his head. Her birthday had nothing to do with her dating status. It was just another day of the year. Out of the corner of his eye, Carson saw Ezzie glance at the clock. She gasped.

“Oh geez, I’m sooo late. Guys, I’ve got to go! I forgot my potions homework and Snape gave me a detention, which I’m no late for!” Carson shrugged. Ethan kissed her goodbye and she sped off. “Well let’s get the game started then shall we? Casey goes first, since she’s the youngest.” He said. Before Casey could even pick up the die however, Ethan spoke up. “Bathroom break. I’ll be right back.” He said, as he walked off as well. Carson knew Ethan too well, and he was not going on a ‘bathroom break.’ He and Ezzie were planning something, and Carson had a feeling he knew what it was. He would murder Ethan for this later, but right now he seemed it to be really rude to just pick up and leave as well. Ethan knew he would do this. He knew Carson was far too nice to leave Casey alone. How he would kill Ethan when he next saw him. He didn’t like being set up like this. He didn’t want to date Casey, and that was the end of it. He didn’t like being pushed like this. Carson put on a smile, despite his sour feelings toward the situation he was put in. “Somehow I think they’re not coming back any time soon.” He said to Casey.

((I know it's short...but I couldn't really come up with much else to write..plus I was distracted by all that homework. Stupid homework!))

[Casey Allen G5]

The game was about to get going when Ezzie looked at the clock. She exclaimed that she was going to be late for Detention with Professor Snape. Casey eyed her. “But, Ezzie!” She called, but the girl was jetting off. Seconds later, Ethan was off as well. For a moment, Casey wondered why they had left. But, she realized why all too soon. Ezzie didn’t have a detention. Casey couldn’t remember her ever having a detention. She shook her head lightly looking back to the spot where the two had vanished. They had something up their sleeve that was for sure. Casey was sure they were probably together somewhere leaving Casey and Carson alone. Why did they think that Casey and Carson should date? Really, they were just friends. Nothing more. Casey sighed. Why Ezzie thought that she and Carson would be good together made no sense. They came from two different lives. Two different stories. Carson and Ethan didn’t even know Casey’s biggest secret of all. Besides, Casey couldn’t have a regular boyfriend. She was too busy with Eden stuff half the time. On top of it all, she didn’t like Carson. She wouldn’t.

“I’m pretty sure your right.” She said in reply to what Carson said. She shook her head lightly looking away from the door and to Carson. She sighed eyeing the monopoly. “Piece of work, they are.” She shook her head again. Casey knew that Ezzie and Ethan only wanted the best for Carson and Casey, but did they really know what was best for them? Casey looked to Carson. “So..umm do you still wanna play?” She asked him casually. She stared at the set-up board. “Because I understand if you have something else to do..” She muttered. It was a bit awkward, really. Casey and Carson both knew why Ezzie and Ethan had left. They both knew that Ezzie and Ethan wanted them together. It made the whole thing awkward. Besides, Casey was around Carson mostly when Ezzie and Ethan were around. She sighed eyeing the window with sun streaming in. She made a mental note to get Ezzie back later, but of course Casey wouldn’t only mildly fuss at her. She wasn’t really mad, just annoyed.

((Mine isn't that long either..))

[Carson McGreggor H6]

Carson moved a bit to make a comfortable seat on the soft carpeted floor. He stared awkwardly at the game board. He knew why Ethan and Ezzie had left him here. He knew Casey knew it as well. If only they would get it in their thick heads that Carson wasn’t interested. If only they would stop butting into his life, thinking they knew what was best for him. They had no idea. Ethan should have known better than to do this. He should have known Carson didn’t want to be messed with, that he didn’t want to be practically locked up in a room with a girl all of them knew he didn’t like. Ethan should have known better than to do this to his best friend. He didn’t like being set up like this. He would choose the girl he wanted on his own time, not Ethan’s. But then again, Carson never chose. He examined a girl closely when he first met her. He took in everything about her and always seemed to pick one single trait that made her un-dateable. He wasn’t sure what it was in Casey that he didn’t like, but there was something about her that irked Carson. There was one small nameless trait that made her unavailable to Carson. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was exactly, but he knew there was something. There was definitely something he didn’t like about Casey Allen. Carson turned to look at Casey when she asked if he still wanted to play. Carson really hated Monopoly, but he was far too kind to turn down the offer. Carson considered this to be one of the curses of being a Hufflepuff. He had to make everyone happy, no matter what the cost. He smiled a bit as Casey stuttered a bit when stating she would be fine if he had better things to do. In truth, Carson really did not have anything better to do. He did have one long potions essay to write, but he’d rather sit through a six day Monopoly game then do that horrid thing before he really had to.

“It’s alright, I guess.” He said weakly as he smiled at her a bit. “Ezzie and Ethan have no idea what they’re missing. Do you still want to play? I really could understand if you don’t want to…” Carson’s sentence trailed off, finding no sign of an end. He just let it sit there, hoping Casey understood what he was saying without having to finish the sentence. “So umm, how’s life?” It was a seriously stupid question, and in Carson’s opinion, it was a horrible attempt at small talk. Carson wasn’t one to blush, but if he was, his face would be beet red by now. Thank god he didn’t have to deal with that. Carson always pictured blushing to be a girly thing, not something commonly seen in tough strong boys like Carson McGreggor. He held out an open hand to Casey. There were two white dice resting inside. “You go first…I mean, if you still want to play.”He said, awkwardly placing the dice onto the game board and waiting to see if Casey wanted to play or not.

((eh, another short one..))

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey eyed Carson calmly. It was defiantly awkward and Casey hated the silence. It was like they had a dark cloud hovering above them. They couldn’t have any fun; not when they both knew why they were alone together. She sighed eyeing the window. It was so beautiful outside. It was sunny and bright, but Casey was stuck inside in the awkwardness. Oh how Ezzie would pay for this. She hated silence especially when it was draped over her like this. Casey had started singing because she loved it and it gave her another way to express herself constantly. Singing, talking, they were the same to Casey. They were sometimes even connected. They both basically took up her life. They were both a part of her life. Casey eyed the Monopoly game on the floor. She had never been a huge fan of the game really. Nope, as a kid she spent her time out in the water or singing. She didn’t play game much back then. No, that was more of Joel’s thing. And Casey hated to be like Joel back then. Joel would jump at the chance to play Monopoly, but Casey didn’t care if she played it or not. Casey eyed Carson blankly and then eyed the game again. She couldn’t keep this up. She hated the silence.

Casey nodded when Carson said that Ezzie and Ethan didn’t know what they were missing. Well, that was true. They were missing the awkwardness that was Casey and Carson together. See, Ezzie and Ethan were wrong. Casey and Carson could never last together. Casey was sure of this. “Umm..” Casey murmured when Carson asked if she still wanted to play. Casey looked out the window again. She caught a glimpse of the green waters of the Black Lake and the beautiful sunlight. “Actually, no.” She said closing the game board and leaving it closed on the floor. She stood up and looked to the window. She glanced back at Carson after a second. “It’s too pretty outside to ignore.” She said eyeing him, waiting for him to follow her. After a moment, Casey grabbed Carson’s wrists with her hands, lightly and pulled him along, out of the Student Lounge. “Besides, board games are Joel’s thing.” She laughed letting go of Carson’s wrists, but expecting him to follow.

Casey and Carson approached the grounds minutes later. She smiled, shielding her eyes with her hands. “See, told you. Pretty.” She laughed and took a couple of steps onto the lush grass. Casey eyed the green waters with her eyes. She smiled looking to Carson. “C’mon. I’ll show you my favorite spot.” She said. Casey was in a giddy mood now that she was outside. That was for sure. But, being outdoors often did that to her. Casey walked along the water’s edge to a spot near the Forbidden Forest, but far enough as to not get the two in any sort of trouble. The area was sort of secluded from the rest of the grounds. Rocks were spread all across the area, but Casey had her eye on a huge one that was often good to jump off of. She smiled and looked to Carson. She pointed to the rock and began to climb up it. After reaching the top moments later, Casey sat down and let her feet dangle over the edge. “I like it here. It’s quiet, but not the ‘make you crazy’ kind of quiet. So, whatcha think?” She asked him.

[Carson McGreggor H6]

Carson wasn’t surprised to see Casey wasn’t enjoying the awkward silence either. She glanced longingly over at the window, looking like she was dying to be out there, and not stuck in here with boring old Carson McGreggor. Carson couldn’t blame her. After all, he too was trapped here, and he didn’t like it one bit. None of them were really trapped inside the lounge of course, it was just that both Casey and Carson were too nice to leave the other behind. None of them liked being there, but none of them Hd the courage to do anything about it. He too found himself staring out the window, longing to be out there, and far away from the ever so boring game of Monopoly. Carson always loved the outdoors, and always found himself out there doing something. He obviously needed to be outside to skateboard, as it would be kind of hard (and would cause him a month’s detention with Snape) to skate around the corridors. It could be done of course, but skating indoors was just pointless to Carson. He also specialized in nature when it came to his artwork was well. He had always enjoyed painting the beautiful trees and the amazing sunset in the parks of London rather than the Great Hall at Hogwarts. There was one spot in particular that he loved to paint pictures of, and it was right here, on the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

He thought back to the night before, when he had painted the view of Hogwarts from the edge of a small cliff, just as the sun was rising. He woke up early to paint the sunrise after sketching the rocks and the trees and such during that day. He came down at five in the morning and stayed, splattering all the reds and yellows and oranges across the canvas in the most skilled way. His sister had taught him everything he knew, and he was thankful for it. She was an art teacher part time, so Julia definitely knew her stuff. The beautiful image vanished as Casey suddenly announced she wanted to go outside. Before Carson could even think about answering, she pulled him up by the wrists and almost dragged him along the corridors (where Carson was almost positive he saw two shadows could be seen from behind the nearest suit of armor.) until they finally reached the giant oak front doors. He laughed as Casey took him over to what she called her favorite spot on the grounds.

“This is your favorite spot?” Carson said in disbelief. I can’t believe it! I come here all the time to paint.” He said, following Casey as she climbed off one huge rock that looked like a small cliff. She finally reached the top and sat, letting her feet dangle over the edge. The fall into the water below was pretty steep, but it wasn’t steep enough to hurt anyone. When Carson finished a painting, or got very hot here during the day, he would jump in the water and cool off or take a break from a frustrating painting. Sometimes he did have trouble getting something right. He always tended to look for a distraction when such things happened. This was why he loved coming here so much. It gave him a beautiful scene to paint, and provided him with a sufficient distraction when he needed it. He looked over at Casey, who was in a much better mood now that they were outside. He couldn’t say he felt any different than she. He loved the outdoors and could never live a life cooped up inside playing board games. It would drive him insane. “I love it here. It definitely beats being cooped up inside.” He looked over at the scene of the almost setting sun. It would be going down soon, as it was already four in the afternoon. He couldn’t believe how time had flown by. “Now this little area here is pretty far off the normal path since it’s so near the forest. How’d you find it?” He asked. This place wasn’t the easiest to find. He had found it while trying to sneak into the Forbidden forest in third year with Ethan. He couldn’t imagine Casey ever doing such things.

((I love the going outside idea. My posts are much better now that dear Carson is having fun. ;D))

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey nodded looking out to the water. It was the perfect shade of green in this particular spot. Casey had never thought of the Black Lake as pretty, but it was at her favorite spot. Casey eyed Carson, hearing the tone in his voice. “Yep.” She nodded before turning back to look at the view across the lake. Beautiful it was or at least Casey thought so. “You do?” She asked turning back catching the last few words Carson said. Casey smiled. “I love it here. There’s no distractions. No one’s lurking about. Plus, it’s just gorgeous here.” She grinned glancing around a bit more. Casey rarely got to have some time to herself, but when she did, this was where she went. Here, nothing else mattered. Casey didn’t have to worry about her grades, or Eden Sweden, or her family. No, she only had to think here. Casey loved not having to do anything. It was rare, but she loved that feeling. She kept grinning, unable to stop smiling. She couldn’t help it. She was a naturally happy person. And this spot just made her happier.

Casey smiled and nodded looking to Carson. “I know. It seems all I do is stay cooped up in the castle. This is soo much better.” She paused. “I’ve basically learned to hate it in the castle and love it out here.” She said truthfully. Casey was always so busy. She had Eden work even during the school year. She still had interviews on her cell phone, practice, and different things in Hogsmeade. Plus, she had school. She was a busy girl. She always would be. Casey smiled at tad when Carson asked how she found the spot. “Umm, I think it was first year. Joel wanted to try out a new spell on my so I ran and ended up over here so home how. I was so mad at him that day, but not when I ended up here. This is the most perfect spot on the grounds. Plus, Joel can’t find me here.” She grinned. That crazy boy loved to follow her around on her father’s orders of course. Casey was sure he got paid for the task, but she couldn’t prove it. Casey remembered something that Carson had just said and she looked back to him. “You paint?” She asked not knowing the fact. She knew that Carson’s sister painted or something like that, but she didn’t know he did. “Well, I’ll be.” Casey grinned. “I thought you were just the skate-boarding type, but I was wrong. Like always.” She laughed a little. Casey had no problem in pointing out her flaws. She didn’t mind it at all. Casey looked to Carson, waiting for him to say something.

[Carson McGreggor H6]

Carson sat down next to Casey, his feet hanging over the edge as well. For the first time all day, he didn’t seem to mind that he and Casey were so close. Now that they were outside and away from the tension that was the indoors, it didn’t feel so awkward anymore. Or perhaps, it was for another reason. Perhaps it wasn’t the area around them, but the true fact that Carson just didn’t feel awkward around Casey anymore. Carson tried to push the rebelling thought away from his mind. No, it couldn’t be. Carson didn’t like Casey. It was definitely the outdoors. Carson always felt so free there, so away from the walls and ceilings that trapped him in the castle. He didn’t like Casey…but why didn’t he like her? Carson racked his brain for anything he thought to be wrong with her. She didn’t lack in the looks department, that was for sure. She was sensationally pretty. She had a great personality, and shared similar interests. They both loved the outdoors and felt suffocated by the walls inside the castle. Carson couldn’t really think of anything so terrible about dating Casey, aside for the fact that he just wasn’t ready to date. He wasn’t ready for the spiraling emotions and the roller coaster ride of girls. He couldn’t handle it. Then there was always the simple selfish concept that he just didn’t want to prove Ezzie and Ethan right. Carson hated to hear the words ‘I told you so’. He didn’t like being wrong. Carson gave a bit of a smile when Casey had explained how she had found the place. Her brother Joel did seem typical of an older brother. Ethan had told him about Joel. He was a bit strange, but he was just as over protective of Casey as her father was. Carson shuddered at the thought of either one of them finding him here with Casey. There was another reason not to date her. He didn’t like the overprotective family. And yet, he couldn’t help smiling. He looked down at the blue green water. It looked so beautiful. He noticed Casey look over at the horizon.

When Carson told Casey about his art, he received the usual reaction. Carson always hung out with Ethan Jacobs, who was good looking, rich, famous, and popular. He though, didn’t have much talent past the field of skateboarding though. Since Carson spent all his time with Ethan, his personality was assumed to be just like his friend’s. While Carson and Ethan shared some qualities, they still weren’t identical like most people thought. Carson loved to skateboard to be true, but he didn’t love it nearly as much as his art and his music. In Carson’s opinion, the two went hand in hand. He expressed himself using both his music and his art. When Carson was angry or upset, he grabbed the closest thing he could find. If it was his guitar, then he worked off his ill feelings by writing a song. (None of his songs had lyrics however, since he was horrible with words.) If he found a pencil and paper first, then he would draw away his anger with a sketch or two out on the grounds. He looked out into the horizon, where many trees and flowers could be seen. In the distance, students were everywhere. They lurked under trees and walked around in groups. None of them noticed Carson and Casey over here by themselves though. He looked over at Casey and chuckled a bit at her astonished stare. “Yes, I do paint. Some say I’m really good. I just say it’s technique I picked up from my older sister. She’s the one with the real talent for art. I play guitar as well. They’re my two favorite things in the world. And don’t worry, people make that mistake all the time. I’m not bothered by it. I guess it’s just what I get for hanging out with guys like Ethan. He’s not a bad guy, don’t get me wrong…he’s just not exactly an artsy kind of guy.” Carson just shrugged and stared into the water. This lake was not black at all. It was actually pretty clear. It was much like today’s situation. It seemed bad at first, but when spending time to look at it through a different perspective, it wasn’t so bad. No, a day with Casey wasn’t bad at all.

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey smiled over to Carson. You know, it wasn’t incredible uncomfortable to have him near her. Actually, it didn’t bother her at all. Casey never thought that she would be okay with being close to Carson. After all, she had known him for awhile. At least since Ethan and Ezzie started going out, probably longer than that. Casey never thought that she would like him. Wait. No. She didn’t like him. She couldn’t like him. He was Carson McGreggor, her friend. She couldn’t like a friend. Casey stared blankly into his eyes. There was nothing there. No spark. Okay, she didn’t like him. She was sure. She was, right? Casey sighed. She couldn’t leave now. No, that would be rude. Plus, Ezzie and Ethan were probably lurking about, spying on the two. If Carson and Casey hung out some more, then maybe Ethan and Ezzie would get off their backs. Then maybe they’d see the lack of interest between the two. Casey nodded to herself. Yea, she would spend more time with Carson, but just for Ezzie and Ethan. She didn’t like him. No. She was just doing this for them. For them..

“They say you’re really good?” She asked smiling. “We’ll I’ll be the judge of that. I want to see your paintings sometime. Good? Good.” She laughed at her usually witty banter. Hopefully, Carson was used to this. She grinned when he said that he played guitar. “You do? Me too. Well, kinda. I sing mostly. That’s my thing..I guess.” She wasn’t going to give away anymore than that. Casey didn’t talk about singing with anyone other than Ezzie. No, singing wasn’t really Casey’s thing. It was Eden’s, but Casey felt like she didn’t to tell Carson this. It wasn’t as if he would assume anything.. “No he’s not a bad guy. You guys are just different in ways, I guess. I mean, you can’t have everything in common. I know me and Ezzie don’t.” Well, that was half true. The shared the singing thing and the magic thing, but Ezzie wasn’t Eden Sweden. Nope, Ezzie Mendez was famous. That was something that Casey would never experience.

Casey looked into the green waters and then to Carson. A mischievous smile spread across her face. Well, that was the Gryffindor in her. Gryffindor not Gryffindork as Joel called them. Casey smiled again looking to Carson. She slipped off her shoes and threw them behind her. She then took off her jacket which left her shorts and her purple top that she had put on that morning. Casey smiled and looked to Carson. “I guess you know that I get bored easily. If not..” She paused. “Now, you do.” In one movement, Casey leaned backwards and then pushed herself away from the rock and into the air. She laughed brilliantly as she headed towards the water, and shut her eyes as she hit the coolness. Casey went under for a few seconds and then bobbed back up. She smiled and looked to Carson still up on the rock. “What are you waiting for, your life to pass by?” Casey laughed.

[Carson McGreggor H6]

Carson smiled at Casey. He had never really noticed how genuinely beautiful she was until now. He had tried so hard in the past (and was still trying) to see fault in her and find every small detail that could be wrong. He had never stopped for one second to look into her sparkling brown eyes, which now glistened with a mischievious stare. He raised his eyebrow. What was this crazy kid planning now? Casey always seemed to have some kind of trick up her sleeve. This worked fine for Carson, who enjoyed surprises. He didn’t like things to be the same way day after day. He liked that Casey was spontaneous, but also hated that she was so likable. Everything about her made Carson want to smile. It was very hard to keep this on going battle in his mind alive. One side was about to win the war, and Carson had a horrible feeling which side that was. He didn’t want to like Casey; he just couldn’t like her. He wasn’t ready to date, and when and if he was ready, Casey would probably never agree to go out with her anyway. He wasn’t her type. Carson tended to always look angry even when he wasn’t; meanwhile Casey was the other way around. She was always smiling, always having a good time. (Except maybe inside, when she was awkwardly stuck in a room playing Monopoly.)


He looked down at the water. It was a steep fall, but it was definitely a fun one. He thought back to last weekend, when he was painting this very scene. He had become quite frustrated with his work. His brush moved this way and that, and Carson tried hard to imitate the texture that was on the rock by the lake. It ended up looking like a small brownish gray blob. He fitfully threw the brush onto the hard ground and removed his shirt and shoes. Seconds later, he found himself sopping wet in the middle of the black lake, bobbing in the water. After about an hour or so, Carson dragged himself out of the water to continue his work, and the rock came out perfectly. The half finished painting was now propped up against the wall behind his four-poster bed in his dorm. All his other paintings were there as well of course. There was the one of the big tree; the unique (but still fascinating) painting of the trash cans back home, and his favorite, the painting of the castle. He turned to look at Casey, who was now removing her shoes. He gave her a questioning look, but she didn’t answer or explain. She took off her jacket next and in what seemed to be the blink of an eye, Casey was standing in her t-shirt and shorts getting ready to jump into the water. He chuckled. “That girl…” he muttered to himself with a smile as Casey jumped into the water. He shrugged and then started to slip off his sneakers as well. He slipped off his t-shirt and threw it to the ground without a glance at where it landed. He too launched off the edge of the boulder and landed head first into the large pool of icy cold water. He laughed as he swam around in the water, doing backstrokes in circles around Casey.

“That was one of the most random ideas you’ve had today, Casey.” He said with a smile. “But I’ve got to admit, it was your best one yet.”

((I guess it’s short, but hopefully it will do.))

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey smiled, liking the way that the green water felt on her skin. It had been a couple of years since she had been in the water. Really, it was quite warm and soothing almost. Casey went under the water briefly and bobbed up for air after a second or two. She smiled up to Carson, waiting for him to jump down. He seemed like a guy who would, but Casey wasn’t completely sure. For a moment, Casey wondered if Ezzie and Ethan had been right in leaving Carson and Casey alone as they did. Maybe they had been. After all, Casey was having fun. She was having fun with Carson McGreggor. Well, she usually did, but she usually had Ethan and Ezzie around as well. This was different, but Casey liked it. She liked hanging out with Carson without Ezzie and Ethan. She wouldn’t admit it yet, but she did. Casey tried to shield the sun out of her eyes, but it was helpless. It was too bright to even try. Beautiful, really. Casey loved the grounds. Being outdoors was her favorite thing at Hogwarts. She loved taking a break from Eden and singing. After all, Eden was a huge part of her life.

Casey smiled as Carson took off his shirt and sneakers and jumped into the icy water. “Finally.” She joked when he resurfaced. Casey laughed as Carson swam around her in circles. She shrugged and laughed as he talked. “Well, you know. I’m full of ‘em.” She laughed. “Well, thank you.” She smiled. “I like it when my crazy ideas aren’t as crazy as even I thought they were.” Casey laughed. She then took a deep breath and did a mini, in-water dive and swam to the bottom of the water. After a few seconds, she touched the bottom and then resurfaced. Casey lied on her back, floating. “I love it outside, in this water. Inside I have homework, practice.” She couldn’t stop herself from saying the last part of the sentence. She winced, realizing what she had just said, but Carson wouldn’t catch it. Right? She could cover it. Casey was sure of it. Casey eyed Carson for a moment. “So tell me.” She paused briefly. “Who is the real Carson McGreggor?” It was just like Casey to ask something like that. She was a curious person. One who was full of crazy and sane questions.

((Sorry it's short. ))