Logan walked up to the owlery, thinking that he ought to send an apology back home to his mother. He hadn't been rude or disrespectful before leaving to come back to school, but more distant than the previous summer. Before "he" happened.

Dear Mum,

I wanted to let you know that I am sincerely sorry if I seemed too distant this past summer. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but I got very caught up in my own emotions. I know that you know what I'm feeling, but I don't want to take away your happiness.

Just know that I do really miss being home, Mum. I hope you are doing well.

Love,
Your son, Logan

He read it over once more before sending it off. He realized that he failed to mention James, his mum's boyfriend once in the letter, but it was all for the better. Besides, if Logan had mentioned the name, he probably would have just gotten angry all over again.

Just as he was walking over to his owl, he realized that she was flying back in at that moment, clutching a letter in it's claws. Puzzled, Logan set his letter to the side, and took the new one from his owl.

Dearest Logan,

I hope that everything is going well for you at school. I felt badly about how we both felt when you left. How is Emilie doing?

Well, I am writing this letter to you because I have some big news. The other night, James proposed to me! We are to be married sometime over the late summer.

I know how you feel about this darling, and I know that you're still upset about your father, but I think this will be good, for the both of us. And I know James cares dearly for you. I know that you two can hit it off someday.

I hope to hear from you soon darling.

All my love,
Mom

Logan stared at the words on the page, almost in disbelief. James proposed to his mother?! The paper was rattling in his shaking hands. He threw it down, shoving his own letter on to the floor and kicking it into a pile of dust.

He pounded a fist into the wooden wall, causing several owls to screech. Logan just sat on the floor, and contented himself with punching his thigh every so often. With each blow wondering the same question: Why? Why? Why?!

Olivia walked into the owlrey. She had a letter that she was sending to her parents about how school was going and stuff. Her mom was always so worried, while her dad was all "Just let the poor kid live"
When she walked in, she saw some Ravenclaw kid sitting on the floor, looking very upset
"Uh, hi, Im Olivia?" she said, putting out her arm so her large eagle owl, Cerial, could land on it.

Melie was walking up the steps of the owlery when she heard a few of the birds freaking out. She ran up the last few steps and turned the corner to see Logan sitting on the floor obviously in a bad mood. She wasn't sure if she wanted to bother him, he seemed to be really upset about something and she saw a crumpled paper in his shaking hands and she set her letter home on the ledge and walked over to him and sat down on the dusty floor next to him.
"What's wrong Logan?" Melie asked. "Did you get some bad news from home? Is your mom okay?"

Perfect way too meet new people... Logan sighed, looking up momentarily. "I'm Logan." He said, in a pretty flat voice. Logan really wished she didn't have to meet him under these conditions, but he couldn't help it. When Melie came in, he just shook his head slid his mother's letter over for her to read it. "Mum's fine." Was all he could really manage to say. He waited for her to finish reading the letter.

Why! What the bloody hell? Of course I'm still upset about Dad! I only get one in a lifetime! No one can take his place! Especially not that pathetic excuse of a man you call your 'fiancee'. He doesn't even deserve the thought of being able to fill Dad's shoes.

He held his head in his hands, only being able to think about his real father.

"Hi, then" Olivia said, scratching her head with her free hand.
Then she took her letter, tied it to Cerial's leg, and he was off.
"Hey Melie" she added.
She had the feeling that she shouldnt be here, it was none of her buisness if some kid decided to come and act emo in the Owlrey. Besides, she had to feed her bro's owl, Tiki, a small snowy owl. She took out a mouse and dropped it on Tiki's head.

Melie took the letter that Logan handed her and she glanced at the signature and then read the letter. She didn't really know much about Logan's mums boyfriend, fiancé, but she did know that Logan wasn't a fan at all, and she understood that.
"oh Logan," Melie said quietly and set the letter down in front of them. "I don't know what to say, thats.....really....sucky," Melie said flatly. She knew that he had naturally taken his fathers death hard, and he wasn't ready to deal with a step father. Melie put her arm around Logan, not sure what to do, she had never seen him in a mood like this before, and gave him a small squeez.
"Are you going to write back to your mum?" Melie asked glancing at him

He was half-listening to Mel, and half-wishing that he could see his father again. Even if for just a moment. Logan held his head up a bit more as Mel addressed the question about him writing back. He slowly turned his gaze to the dust pile in the corner that hid a letter written in red ink. "I was going too." He sighed.

Logan just shook his head, holding back his anger. "But what do I say? 'Oh gee mum, that's brilliant! Of course James and I'll hit it right off! Oh and do tell him not to worry. I won't be up to any more mischief now that I have proper guidance!' Right." He muttered sarcastically. "The man can barely measure up to who my father was." He turned his head back down.

Melie just sat there in scilence as Logan ranted a little bit.
"Of course no one is going to be as great as your dad Logan, I don't think that you mom thinks that either, at least I hope she doesn't," Melie muttered the last part to herself. "But you can't tell her that you hate the guy, not matter how much you want too. Maybe you could tell her that.... I dont know, surprised that they're moving so fast, maybe it'll make her think about it a little more," Melie said hopefully, knowing that wasn't likely to happen, but she had to try and help Logan. "But you're her only child, it'll make her so upset if you tell her that you hate him."

He knew Mel was right, he couldn't just flat out tell his mum that he didn't like James, not after he had made her so happy. But he also knew that there was no way she'd reconsider the engagement. Logan sighed.

"I wish I could Mel, but this guy...he just makes my mum so happy. I mean, she hasn't had much luck, what with being widowed mother, and then 'Mr. Rogers' comes along and she's head over heels." He rolled his eyes. Logan wouldn't be surprised if James had a children's program just like that as well.

"This guy, we just don't seem to be on the same page. I mean, he's tried to get me to ride some thing called a bike instead of a broom. Oh and apparently my potion making adventures derive from my lack of direction. He's just so, 'hokey'. He hasn't been able to figure out my age yet. Anytime we talk, he'll talk down, as though I'm just a toddler." Logan punched the empty floor on his left. That was the thing. The harder James tried, the more Logan disliked him. He glanced at his hand, which now was crimson across the knuckles.

"I do want to thank you, Mel. I didn't really mean to go on like that but. I just...I'm so angry about this." He confessed, looking down again.

Melie had to admit that Logan was right about his mum.
"What's a bike?"She looked at him quizzically. Why would anyone think anything was better than a broom? The more Logan told her about James the less she liked him, and agreed with Logan. Didn't James know that Logan was good at potions...well kind of anyways.
"I don't think your mum expects you to be really happy about James, but she probablly wants you to accept him into your family, because she loves him. Could you be happy that she's happy?" Melie glanced at Logan's hand and saw that it was really red now, one more punch and he was going to be bleeding probablly. "You might want to stop punching the floor Logan."

"A bike is some sort of metal contraption with these big black rubber wheels, and 'handle bars'. It is much harder to ride one of those, let me tell you. Brooms are far more superior." He said assuredly.

"I was happy, for a little while. I mean, it was nice to know that mum wasn't completely alone while I was away. It was nice to know that she had some company. However, that's all that was needed. 'Company', as in people that don't just stick around forever and intrude in all aspects of your life." He rolled his eyes. At least James never interefered with Logan's love of quidditch. Though he did try to get him to play "football".

Logan looked over his hand, smirking when Mel told him it probably wasn't the best idea. "Oh you mean because of this? It's all show, really. Under all this blood, there is a only a small little cut. No worries."

Scarlett came into the owlery clutching a very important letter in her hand. She had had some very life changing experiences lately and she needed to talk to her Grandmother. The older woman had some explaining to do.

Scarlett was so intent on attaching her letter to Catchcan, her bat, that she almost did not notice Melie and Logan. They were engaged in an intense conversation that had carried a bit down the stairs, and neither one looked very happy. That rather matched Scarlett’s mood at the moment so she decided to join them.

“So your mamma is thinkin’ of getting remarried? And I suppose that congratulations are not in order,” Scarlett said sitting down beside Logan. She looked at him with a tilted head. “I know what you need, and it happens to be what I need too.” Scarlett reached into her bag and pulled out a silver hip flask. “Care for some Southern Comfort?”

Melie was sitting there brooding along with Logan when she saw Scarlett come in.
"Hi Scarlett," Melie said as her friend sat down on the other side of Logan. She watched as Scarlett pulled out a bottle of something and called it Southern Comfort. "Ooooo is it a potion or something?" Melie asked looking at the light amber liquid. It kind of looked like firewhiskey to Melie, so she thought that maybe it was something from the muggle world.

“Yes actually it is a very fine potion for curin’ what ails ya,” Scarlett said with an ironic twist to her lips. Her words were a little slurred and her green eyes glowed a little too brightly. “Only problem is the cure only lasts ‘til the next mornin’, but it is nice while it lasts.” Scarlett held out the flask for either Melie or Logan to take.

Logan let out a short laugh. "You've got that right." He said in response to Scarlett's previous comment about the "congratulations". He ran a hand through his hair and leaned his head back against the wall as he exhaled. At least it can't get worse than this. Logan decided. He glanced at the flask and nodded to Scarlett. He accepted the flask and took a quick short sip. It was a bit stronger than he was used to, but he took a longer sip. "Thanks, Scarlett. I'll owe you one love." He said, as he handed her back the flask.

He did crack a small grin. "Yet another 'potion' James'd probably forbid, eh?" He looked to Mel with a small smile. Logan did mean it in a light-hearted way.

"Are you alright yourself Ms. Carrington?"

Scarlett accepted her flask back and took a moment to think about Logan’s question. “I guess I’m as right as I’m likely to get anytime soon. But I don’t want to burden you with my troubles when you are in the midst of your own. Since you don’t want congratulatin’ I take it you don’t like who your mamma’s got picked out for a step-daddy.” Scarlett took a long pull from the flask and then looked at it. It occurred to her that she should slow down or she might not be able to make it down the stairs of the owlery.

Cassie, having problems on her own had been sitting on the roof of the Owerly legs wrapped around a bar. She heard Logan talk about is step dad and few other people enter. She She heard something about a special beverage and hung around the bar so she could look in. "Guess everyone is having a crap day, huh?"

Emilie folded up her letter and slipped it into an envelope. She walked into the owlery just in time to hear Logan say about his step-dad. This confused her a little as she was pretty sure he'd told her that his mom wasn't married. She walked over to where Logan was and sat down next to him. "Hey. Good news or bad?" she asked.

Since you don’t want congratulatin’ I take it you don’t like who your mamma’s got picked out for a step-daddy

Logan nodded. "Boy can you ever say that again." He shook his head, and looked back at the flask. He'd have to find some of that later. Logan looked up as he heard both Cassie and Emilie. He nodded to Cassie, "I'd say so. Must be something about today." Placing his arm around Emilie, he sighed.

"Bad. My mum's engaged to some joke of a 'man' who thinks I'm five years old. He's a squib, but I mean, he hails from a magical family! You'd think he'd be used to broomsticks, potions and the like. But oooh no. I'm supposed be 'a little more muggle' for him. And apparently I lack any sort of guidance. That's why I like to slip people prank potions, and set them up for jokes." He scoffed.

Logan sighed and looked around to all the girls, Mel, Olivia, Scarlett, Cassie, and Emilie. "Well, I feel bad going on like this. Anyone else need to get something off of their chest?" He should probably let the thought alone for a while, and cool off.

Cassie took a swig. "Erg...that suucks majorly man. " she said patting his back. "well I fell in love and got my heart broken.' she said simply shrugging her shoulders.

Note to self, get fire whiskey later. He could probably find some in the room of requirements. Logan winced. "I'm sorry Cass." He looked over to the girl. "Want to talk about it?" He asked her.

Cassie frowned. "No I just wanna take a rock and throw it at him then take another one and smack myself and then blow something up" she said laughing. She turned to Logan and whispered in his ear. "Heyy You wanna get whiskey later at the ROR with me"

Scarlett grew quiet when Cassie and Emilie showed up. She watched as her flask made another round. As it got back to her she cast the refilling charm on it. Logan had invited the others to share their bad day. Scarlett listened as Cassie told of the trials of love.

Scarlett could tell that the dynamics of the group had changed and the younger students might want to suggest some fun that she would just have to lecture them for. She herself was in a volatile mood, and didn’t really care to share it with others. “I hate to take the party and run, but I should probably go downstairs while I can negotiate them,” Scarlett said as she rose unsteadily to her feet.

Melie just sat there as the other girls showed up, she didn't take any of Scarlett's potion though, she was wary of muggle things, especially since most of the time, she had no clue what to do with them and they would blow up in her face or something. A few minutes later Scarlett got up to leave, and Melie contemplated the same thing, she knew that Liam was back and she wanted to spend some time with him incase he had to leave again. Melie fiddled with the pompom on the laces of her brown suede boots before she rose to her feet and dusted her hands off on her jeans.
"Ok Logan, i see you're in good hands with Emilie and Cassie so I think I'm going to go find Liam, he's back!" Melie exclaimed as she ran down the stairs and then back up them. She had forgotten to give Orion the letter to send home. As she watched him fly away Melie turned and headed back down the stairs, waving at Logan, "Bye."

Logan nodded to Cassie. "Later on today, we'll indulge in that." He gave her a sly smile. He didn't drink fire whiskey very often. He had a small nip every now and then for stress relief.

"No worries, I'll see you later Scarlett." Logan waved as the girl departed. After she had left, Melie got up to go too. "Alright, have fun Mel, and thanks love. I owe you one." He waved back to her and then turned to the other girls. "I'm sorry, I didn't even ask. How are you doing Em, love?" Logan kissed Emilie's cheek.

Cassie laughed and sent a sly smirk. She too drank especially when she was depressed or at her solo bonfires. She laughed as Logan kissed Emilie. "Aw you to are so cute together." she said giggling,

Emilie smiled at Melie and Scarlett as they left, "Bye guys." she said. She turned to Logan, "I'm pretty good. I'm sorry that you're having a bad day though." she said. She smiled as Logan kissed her cheek and laid her head against his chest. She blushed a little at Cassie's remark, "Thanks Cass, that's always good to know." she said smiling.

Logan placed his arms around Emilie and sighed. "It's alright, love. We're all bound to have them sooner or later. I just really wish it wasn't this. I mean, how could mum love him? Dad wasn't nearly as much of a kook as this guy is. If she did have to fall for someone again, couldn't she have actually picked a REAL wizard. No offense to any parties with non-magical relations of course." He wasn't sure if Emilie or Cassie hailed from all-magic families or not.

Cassie sighed. "Im a pureblood, my parents fell in love on mount everest and Im bever getting married. " she said giggling. "I am sooo gonna need this tonight" she muttered.

(Logan - thread is Final Release)

Henry walked into the owlery and saw Melie, Cassie, and Emilie. He heard Logan say, "No offense to any parties with non-magical relations of course." Henry and Emilie's parents were both wizards (oviously both Emilie and Henry, because there brother's and sisters). Henry looked at Logan and said, "You don't have to say no offense to that, because our parents are both wizards." Henry was pointing at himself and Emilie while he said that.

Emilie looked up when Henry entered, "Actually Henry, mom is a squib, remember? Her whole family is magical, except her." she said. "Are you sending a letter?" she asked Henry. She realized that she still had her letter in her hand, but she didn't want to get up at the moment. She folded the letter up and stuffed it in her pocket.

Logan looked up. "Well then, I'll say, no offense to squibs then." He corrected himself. After all, it had been James being a squib that he was griping about. He didn't understand how a man that was brought up with magic could be so against it. Sighing Logan stood up and walked over to the dust pile, and picked up the letter he had originally intended to send out. Shaking off some excess dust, he pulled out his wand and let the tip rest in the center.

"Incendio." He whispered and set the letter on fire. It soon just completely dissolved in his hands.

Cassie watched as Logan burnt the letters, the black ashes floating softlyto the ground. "Ahh Ember therapy. The helpful burning of things. Its very helpful." she said shakingher head." I loe to do it...I justalways ger caught." she sid shrugging.

Henry heard Emilie say that their mom was a squib and he said to her, "Oh...I always forget that mom's a squib I don't know why, I forget. And yes I'm writing a letter. It's to dad because of what's happened to mom." Henry wasn't sure if he had told her or Ben yet, and he thought this was a good time. Henry then looked at Logan and asked, "Why did you set that letter on fire Logan?" Henry then walked over to an owl spot, and he put the letter than ready for the owl to take it to his dad.

Logan shrugged as he watched the embers fall to the ground. "Truthfully, it was a letter that I no longer cared to send. Partly because the disclosed sentiments are no longer valid." As the embers started to mix with the dust, Logan shuffled back over to the spot where Emilie was. "Sorry love, I really am. I wish you didn't have to see me like this."

Henry's owl then flew off with his letter. Then Henry looked at Logan and said, "If it's okay may I ask why you don't want Emilie to see you like this? See you like what?' Henry was hoping Logan wouldn't mind that he said that.

Logan tried not to roll his eyes. Was he serious? "Err, you know. Angry, upset." That's all he was going to say on the matter. He sat down and put his head in his hands. Too bad it's not later, he thought, the night in the RoR should lift his spirits some.

Henry was wondering why Logan was angry or upset. So Henry asked him, "Why are you angry and upset?" Henry then remebered that Sabrina said he had got drunk with Cassie. Henry then added to Logan, "Is it true that you got drunk along with Cassie? That must've been kind of funny!" Henry couldn't help but laugh at the thought.

Emilie watched as Logan got up and set the letter on fire. "Don't worry about it." she said as he sat down again. She truly hated seeing someone she cared so much about having a hard time. She groaned as Henry asked yet another slightly sensative question. Does he ever stop? she wondered as she scooted closer to Logan. She put her arm around his shoulders and laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, really I am." she said quietly.

OOC: Simple mistake, but Henry, the thread where Logan and Cassie get drunk happens after this.

Logan was fed up with the questions, but he took a deep breath. "My mum is getting married to some loser squib. He's against magic, and even tried to convince my mum to raise me as a muggle after I've already been here a year." He quipped, and looked over to Emilie. Resting his head against hers, and reaching up to take her hand, he deeply exhaled. "It's alright love." He kissed her.