The Paddock Gate

[Simon Hedwig]

This is where students converge before and after class to chat and discuss class and a million other things. Smell that fresh air, ahhhh.

[Simon Hedwig]

Simon gave the fence a good kick. It seemed sturdy enough. He closed the gate behind him, happy that it was ready for the first lesson when he held it.
At least Hogwarts had expansive grounds. He'd spent much of the last four years outdoors and didn't like to spend too much time couped up in his office. He looked out towards the Forrest and smiled when he saw three baby thestrals flying low over the trees. He could by their wobbly flight that they had only recently learnt to fly.

[jemz]

Elizabeth walked down to the paddocks hoping she'd find Simon there. She had checked his office but it was empty so logic meant that unless he was hiding from Emilia or Kildara he'd be here. She smiled as she caught sight of him and saw the thestrals flying wobbly. "New thestrals are fun to watch aren't they," she said finally stopping next to him.

[Simon Hedwig]

He jumped when he heard her voice then smiled broadly. Elizabeth was a welcome distraction. And Simon certainly found her distracting. He'd found himself thinking of her often since the meeting.
"Hi." he said warmly, glad to have run into her. Hogwarts had changed a lot since his day and he was glad to see a familiar face, especially one as pretty as hers.
"Yeah, I love them." he commented. He looked at her questioningly. She could obviously see them. But then since the Battle of Hogwarts the number of people able to see Thestrals had increased dramatically...along with the number of werewolves, thanks to Fenrir Greyback.
"How's the first couple of days of term gone for you, then?" he asked jovially

[jemz]

Liz looked apologetically as he jumped, she knew by now not to do it, but her panther side made it easy to be sly. She liked his smile though, it was nice and she couldn't convince herself that she hadn't thought about him since the meeting.
"Hey," she said, her eyes and mouth smiling at him. So that was what she should've said first, but then she was never fully one for doing things properly. She never had been.
"Same actually," she replied. Seeing the questioning look she decided she better explain, although she could just say the battle. "My friend was murdered by a deatheater when we were younger, sort of why I joined the Order in the first place when Dumbledore reformed it."
She laughed, the first few days back were always the worst. Everything was hectic and lesson plans were still missing. "They've gone by way too fast, as have the holidays to be honest. Actually that was why I was coming to find you, I was wondering if you were free when I hold my first class. We're going to be starting Animagus transfigurations and well after reading a few things I happen to know you are one." She smiled sheepishly, knowing that she shouldn't have looked, but she was curious about him.

[Simon Hedwig]

Simon's face fell slightly when she talked about her friend. He nodded sadly.
"Yeah, similar story except it was my Father." he replied, his eyes sad behind his smile. "I was just a kid when they killed him. I saw the whole thing. And a few years later it was my Mother." he added with a sigh.
Then he smiled and his body language relaxed.
"But enough of our happy memories." he joked. "I'd love to help out. It's always fun o see what they turn into anyway." he replied with a chuckle.
"You know my sister talks about you. She's very fond of you. I think it's good that she has someone she can talk to besides me and Kit. She tells me your animagus form is a panther too." he said giving her a soft smile.

[jemz]

Liz listened sadly about his own losses. "I'm sorry Simon, no one deserves to lose their parents that way." It did explain though why Krysta hated them with a passion though.
"Yeah, too much hapiness can kill a guy after all," she laughed. It was nice seeing him smile. He had quite a nice smile and it made her smile too. "Thanks that's really kind of you. Well after getting homeworks back from students it should definitely be fun seeing what they turn into." Honestly some of the things she'd read suited her students, others were just ridiculous.
She felt herself blushing as he said Krysta talked about her "She's a good girl, and an even better student than others I've taught. And she knows that she can come to me at anytime she needs to." Simon probably knew all that but it still needed to be said. "Yes it is," she said turning into a panther and changing back almsot instantly. "So it was quite a surprise to hear that Krys was one as well. I had never met another panther up until then."

[Simon Hedwig]

Simon nodded, a distant look in his eyes.
"A lot of people have lost their parents that way unfortunately." he said grimly. He shook it off and changed the subject again. He nodded.
"Yeah Krys is a good kid. She's bright and talented, as you've probably noticed." he said with a light laugh. "She can get a little stubborn and arrogant sometimes, but it never lasts long. She seems to have sobered up a little snce she turned 17, though. I think she's starting to realise the weight of her responsibility."
He grinned when Elizabeth transformed into the panther and back again. "Mum and Grandma were Panthers too, I think it runs in the family." he told her. He couldn't help loving the fact that she was a panther too. It made her special and he couldn't help feeling a connection with her because of it.

[jemz]

Elizabeth couldn't help but feel sorry for everyone especially Simon. It must have been hard on him having to raise his little sister up as well on his own. But she wasn't going to dwell on sad subjects at the moment otherwise she'd have to go off somewhere and cry.
"I don't think anyone can not help notice her talent," she said. His laugh was amazing, it sounded really nice and she couldn't help think that she'd love hear it again. "As long as she knows that she has people who will help her and doesn't try to take on too much at once, I'm sure she'll be fine."
She couldn't help but match his grin after she had transformed back. "It must do, well the woman's side at least. I know you're not a panther but foxes are just as good, although they are a lot smaller than panthers."

[Simon Hedwig]

He chuckled playfully.
"Hey we foxes can hold our own. We're very fast and sneaky." he said with a wicked grin. He couldn't stop smiling. Eizabeth just seemed to make him happy. She was good company and had the sweetest smile. She was refreshing. He found himself wanting to spend more time with her. He thought about asking her if she wanted to go for a drink. He had agreed to go out with Caitlyn but he hadn't seen her since that day in Diagon Alley.
He suddenly found himself not knowing what to say next. He didn't want the conversation to end just yet, but all he could think about was whether to ask her out or not. He didn't even know whether she had a boyfriend. He didn't know that much about her at all, but he certainly wanted to learn.
"How long have you been teaching?" he asked. It was a stupid question, but he was grasping at straws just trying to keep the conversation going.

[jemz]

"Oh really?" Liz asked. She didn't know why, but being with Simon seemed to be better then being with anyone else that she had ever been with. Part of her wanted to keep jesting but there was a part of her wondering what it would be like to be with him. She didn't fully know much about him except that he was Krys' brother and she hadn't had a chance to talk to Kit since the meeting either.
The silence was becoming awkward but she didn't know what to say to fill it. There were somethings that she could say but that would be either too fast or too rude for open conversation. She had just figured out something to say when he asked a question.
"Only two years," she said. "I'm 22 and so it's only been five years since I graduated from here myself. It's fun though, seeing the students try and then fail but continue to try. The willpower they have to keep trying even though they've gotten it wrong already is amazing." She smiled and then asked her own question, "So what exactly is life like in Romania with dragons?"

[Simon Hedwig]

Simon's face lite up when she asked about the dragons.
"Oh they're amazing." he exclaimed. "I miss them. Theyre just so beautiful and powerful. Each one is different form any other, they're like humans they way they all have different personalities. And they're so intelligent. Not to mention stubborn." he laughed. He suddely realised he was gushing and blushed slightly. "Sorry, I just think they're wonderful creatures." he explained.
"This teaching thing is totally new to me. I have no idea how my first class is going to go. I'm quite nervous to be honest." he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Don't tell anyone, though. It'll ruin my cool exterior." he joked.

[jemz]

Liz watched his face and smiled as she saw how enthusiastic he became when talking about them.
She laughed too shaking her head, "Don't apologise. They sound wonderful as well, although I must admit, I am slightly afraid of them. Power's good but too much and they become scary in my eyes." It was a funny thing to be afraid of and even she knew it. "Oh well Simon just think, from a bunch of proud, stubborn dragons, to a bunch of proud, stubborn students. Not much difference although the students shouldn't be able to breathe fire."
Similing sympathetically at him, she touched his arm. "You'll do fine. Chances are it'll be Krys' class you teach first and for the most part, they're an excellent group. Plus if you're that scared, I can always come and make sure things don't get too far out of hand." She laughed, "Oh of course not. We wouldn't want to ruin that exterior would we?"

[Simon Hedwig]

Simon shook his head reassuringly.
"Anything with too much power is scary...especially people." he agreed, thinking of Voldemort. "I'm not too worried about the students breathing fire. It's me that they should be worried about." he said with a wink. He held out his hand palm upwards and suddenly a tiny ball of fire appeared in his palm, kindling serenely to itself. He grinned at Elizabeth before closing his hand extinguishing the flame.

"Teaching Krys will be so weird. I just hope she doesn't get all full of herself and start showing off or being cheeky. I'd hate to have to take points off my own sister." he chuckled, shaking his head. "I should be ok, but thanks for the offer." he said lbushing at her comment about his exterior.
"Although there is something I could do with some help for, if you're up for it." he said mysteriously. "We'd have to go at night, though and it could be quite dangerous." he said with mock thoughtfulness. He looked at Elizabeth as though measuring her up. "On second thoughts I don't think you're up to it. Never mind I'll ask someone else." he said teasingly.

[jemz]

Elizabeth watched with wide eyesas a ball of fire appeared in Simon's palm and then smiled. "You're a fire bender," she observed. He was right, the students would have to be careful about angering him. She would love to have that sort of power and she was guessing it was useful when you were around Dragons who actually breathed the stuff. "How long have you been able to do that?" She knew some people inherited it, but others learnt.

"Krys will be fine. I think what you'll have to be careful of is her talking about you waaaay too much and then everyone else's expectations will be really high," Liz said teasingly. "You're welcome." She noticed a faint colour coming to his cheeks and she smiled, knowing she had done that. "Oh doing what?" she asked. Night never scared her and neither did danger really unless it was proper life or death danger. Feeling herself under scrutiny she stood still and waited to hear what it was. "Oh come on, of course I'm up for it. When I know what It is." She changed quickly into a panther and growled at him threateningly. She was going to go with him, whether he liked it or not so either way it didn't matter. He wasn't going to go alone.