...Forbidden forest? Brooke wasnt really sure what to word forbidden meant but it sounded creepy so she wasn't really sure she wanted to go in there, turning a 360 degree turn, and thinking she was facing the opposite direction to the forest- which she wasnt |: She began walking, skipping infact into the forest before stopping and doing another turn, another 360 degree turn. So of course she was still in the forest, it was so scary here. She was clearly right about the word forbidden so the second year sat down on the floor and began to sway, mummbling quietly to herself.

She wanted help.

Hogwarts, so far, was a rather lonely place. Lucca had spent the opening feast quietly at the Gryffindor table, not really wanting to approach any of the other students to have a stab at small talk. He wasn't a bad conversationalist, he just wasn't very good at making the first move in getting to know people.

The grounds, however, had lifted his spirits. They were beautiful. He had read about them, seen pictures of them, but nothing lived up to the real thing. The fresh air was also doing him the world of good.

It wasn't until the light started to fade and the air somehow seemed suddenly thicker that he became aware of where he was heading. A forest. And not the most pleasant of forests either. He shuddered involuntarily, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling. He spun round quickly, wanting to get out of here and back to the lake, but his way was blocked by trees. Which way had he come? A slight panic began to rise in him and when he heard something, albeit it very quietly. His heart jumped. He sought out is source, surprised to find a small girl sitting on the ground mumbling to herself.

He calmed immediately and a small smile curled up his lips. Silly really. Just a small girl. Nothing to be wary of.

“Hello?” He tilted his head and approached her. “Do you... do you happen to know the way out of here?”

Or was she lost too?

Brooke was so scared. She was kinda glad she hadn't come across this place sooner, she was a big second year atleast now; that gave her confidence. hehehe. Okay, no it didn't. It gave her no confidence at all, she wished she'd never come to this part of the grounds. Why couldnt she have just stayed with the nice duckies at the duck pond ? eeek.

She was such an idiot.

She'd just wanted to wonder around, find some more pretty things around Hogwarts, not this. Tihs wasn't pretty not at all. This was scary. eeek. Brooke didn't like scary things, especially not scary places, especially not scary places when she was by herself. She wanted Superman hero Alec to come save her, he said he was always gonna be around to save her, but he wasn't here. Or Ness or Dar or someone, just anyone. She looked down to the floor, running her fingers along it, trying to remember which way she'd come in, but she couldnt. She couldnt even remember her way to the common room and she'd been there loads, she was lost.

It was official.

She could hear noises, eek! Rustling, or something. OMG THERE WAS A BEAR COMING TO GET HER. She began shaking, as she rolled onto her hands and knees and tried to roll up in a ball.

Then someone spoke, but it wasnt a bear, bears couldnt talk. But apparently cats could. A boy, it was a boy. Someone had come to rescue her! yay! She looked up from her ball shape and gave off a small smile. "Hiya." and then she shook her head. "Um, no. I fink im lost Mister."

Um.. what was the little girl doing..?

Lucca watched her with a curious frown as she appeared to be attempting to roll herself into a ball. He reminded her of a frightened hedgehog, although she lacked the spines. Which was a good thing really. A giant half hedgehog, half girl hybrid thing would be pretty terrifying. ..Even in the magical world.

Blinking as she remained where she was as she spoke, he couldn't help a smile at her seemingly bright persuasion. “Are you—are you quite alright?” he asked her in his well spoken, yet hesitant, shy manner. “I didn't think I'd wandered far. Surely the way out isn't too far away.” He commented. “We could.. try and find it together?” Because two heads were better than one, yes? ..Even if one had a hedgehog brain.

Brooke felt all cosey in her little "ball" shape. Although it was quite cold outside, she felt a little bit safe. Not too safe. Maybe she felt safe because there was someone here to save her, she liked this too. Alteast if she died she wasn't going to be alone ? and there would be someone to take her back to the castle and tell people.

He was smiling! Yey! Brooke liked people to smile around it, it made her feel all happy inside. hehehe. "Yeah, thanks. Im fine." hehe. This boy was so nice. "I dunno where i wandered, i span so i didnt come in here but then i did come in here." she didn't want to be in here. "I just want to be back with the duckies." find it together ? this sounded like a plan. Brooke jumped up onto her feet, and smiled at the boy. "Okay then! Im Brooke! Im a big second year!" she added because she liked people to notice she was a second year.

Her office had been missing something and she just couldn't quite put her finger on it until it hit her that very same morning. It needed some flowers and not just any flowers. She knew Mallowsweet grew in the forbidden forest and figured they would look lovely in her office. Of course she could have consulted the herbology professor on it but preferred not to. Besides it had been so long since she had been in the forest.

A little ways in she heard voices of children and frowned. Well if those were not centaur children, who ever it was would be in serious trouble.

It didn't take her long to spot two students. Her hands immediately went to her hips and she fixed them both with a serious frown.

"Can either of you tell me, what this forest is called?"

This girl, who looked like either a first year or second year was incredibly endearing, and Lucca found himself warming to her. She reminded him of his little sister (even though she was far younger than this girl). “So you wandered in by mistake?” He replied. “Me too.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I think I got lost in my thoughts and.. I ended up here.” Not good. This place really gave the lad the creeps. Duckies? There was a duck pond around here as well? “Well.. um.. maybe if we get out of here alive..” He said deadpan, eyes glinting ever so slightly and his lips quirking into a small smile. “...You can show me this duck pond.”

She jumped to her feet rather enthusiastically. The smile on Lucca's face grew. “Brooke. It's a pleasure.” He said genuinely. “I'm Lucca. New here. I'm still trying to get my bearings.” Hence the lostness in this strange and scary forest.

“Which way do you think we should--”


--But the boy was cut off by the sound of an older female voice. He cleared his throat nervously and turned to the source of the voice. A professor. In fact, Lucca was pretty sure she was the charms professor. "The.. the name of the forest?" Lucca blinked, noting her body language and her facial expression was.. displeased. This was obviously not an enquiry out of her own ignorance of the school.

“I..” He rubbed the back of his neck and turned back to look at Brooke, raising his brows. His eyes widened momentary as he gave her a look that said, 'Oops. We're in trouble..' Maybe Brooke would have some clue as to the name of the forest. He looked back at the professor and gave a little shrug of the shoulders. “I.. have no idea, professor?” His nervous tone made it come out more of an insecure question than a statement.

Brooke liked this boy, not that she didn't like many people. Infact she liked just about everyone, yep. She did. She didn't like to not like people, sheeven tried to like really mean people because they probably had some sort of reason for being mean, and she wasn't going to discriminate again them for it. "Yeah! By total mistake, i didnt even mean to!" which was actually the definition of mistake, little did Brooke know. "lost ? in your own mind?" omg. that was so scary, how could someone get lost in their own mind ? eek. " WE COULD DIE?!" The blonde yelped, a very worried look on her face. She didn't wanna die. " but...if we doo." she spoke reluctantly, not wanting to jinx anything. "ill take you to the duckie pond."

sigh.

He was smiling more! This was such good news! "Whats a pleasure ?" she didn't quite understand. "Lucca. Thats an interesting name" she giggled, it sounded all exoctic. "ooh! ive been here before, but i dont know my way around well enough to show you." eek.

She looked up as Lucca stopped speaking and spotted the professor. EEK! Professor's scared her, so she ran and his behind Lucca, holding onto his waist so he didn't run away without her. The name of the forest, Brooke tried to think. ummm. "The fruity forest?" she knew it was something like that, and boy she hoped thats what it was called. If it was then it was a very inaccurate name, she couldnt see any fruit anywhere!

None of them knew? She glared at both of them. No this was unacceptable. Her hands dropped from her waist and she motioned for both of them to follow her out of the forest. This was no place for students, especially those who knew nothing about the dangers that lurked inside, oh yes they were both in trouble. She would be marching both of them to her office for detention.

As she walked off her voice was clear in her verbal tired.

"Honestly! None of you even know the name of this forest and here you are lounging around like it's nobody's business! Five point from both of you." She frowned but she wasn't done yet.

"The forbidden forest, it's forbidden for a reason. I trust you know what the word forbidden means?" She glanced behind her.

"Both of you will receive detention in my office this evening. And you better not be late either....keep up."

Lucca nodded. 'By total mistake' described perfectly how he had ended up here too.. but he found himself looking puzzled at the younger girl at her next statement. Lost in his own mind? That made him sound like a total loon.“I.. I mean..” What did he mean? ..”I think I mean I was deep in thought. And... I happened upon this place.” Um... right. His eyes widened when it seemed his little joke about getting killed in here went completely pair shaped. He shook his head vigorously. “Well... it's possible to die doing the most mundane of tasks.” He stated, hoping this would ease any stress caused over his little sarcastic remark. “..People die every day just walking around. You could fall down a manhole when you're just minding your own business.” He cleared his throat anxiously. He was, however, reassured by Brooke's promise to take him to the 'duckie' pond should they come out of this alive. She obviously wasn't all THAT stressed.

Um... "It's a pleasure to meet you.” He reiterated. He nodded his head. “It's Italian. Well.. I'm.. Italian.” He scratched his brow and gave Brooke a smile.


The professor was GLARING. Lucca gave her a sheepish look. He was new here. How was he supposed to know the name of the forest? As Brooke spoke, he relaxed a little. The FRUITY Forest. THERE YOU GO! *sigh of relief* Brook knew. Of course she knew!

….Except she didn't, did she?

It was the 'Forbidden Forest'.

Forbidden. No fruit in sight.

And it was forbidden for a reason as the professor stated.

Because it lost you Five POINTS and got you a DETENTION!

He followed behind the professor, looking back at Brooke and hesitating to allow her to catch up. Lucca had JUST got here! This punishment seemed rather unjust. He chose not to argue with the woman, however. Past experience had taught him that keeping your trap shut was better then trying to get out of a punishment with verbal tricks. It never did work for the shy retiring Lucca.

Brooke smiled, she wasn't sure what Lucca was talking about sometimes her brain resembled that of a fish, or of a sieve; meaning that she often forgot things, very quickly. Not all the time though, she was good for useless facts. Not many useless facts, but the occasional useless fact. Deep in thought ? "Oh. ive never been there. It sounds like a lovely place though." Brooke wasn't sure she was capable of going to deep in thought, she didn't have a car or money, nor did she know it wasnt an actual place. "But how did that end you up here ?" she just didn't understand. Brooke's eyes widened and she stared as he said people could die doing every day things like WALKING! ...she looked the boy up and down before pouting. "You hafta carry me so i dont die!" she needed superman hero special Alec to protect her.

"Oh. its nice to meet you aswell!" she said with a small nod and a little giggle. "Italien ? oooh. thats fancy."

A detention ? NOOO. Brooke couldnt have a detention, mummy would be so disappointed. AND FIVE POINTS LOST?! nooo! Now the Slyfrings were gonna hate her. she was the worst! D: "uh. actually professor, idontknowwhatforbiddenmeans." it was true! She didnt know what a lot of words meant. eek.

She ran after Lucca as he followed the Professor. "Lucca, i really dont know what forbidden means." she pouted, holding onto his arms because he didnt haff cooties so it was okay to touch him. "Will you protect me while Superman hero Alec isnt around ?" and plus, Lucca was older.

It was one of those days where it was so cold out that most students were inside. The library was too busy, the Common Room was impossible, and even Aspen's little dungeon nook was taken by a pair of snoggers.

SO.... wanting to be left to her thoughts while studiously avoiding certain people, Aspen approached a place she didn't expect ANYONE else to be.

The Forbidden Forest. Aspen didn't go IN it, but skirted the edges, sticking to the shadows produced by the trees and where the snow wasn't melted. Each of her footsteps made a crunch under her boots, but other than that, not a sound came from the hooded Ravenclaw.

It was a day to remember, because João Neves was outside on this FREEZING day to play in the snow. In the last two years he had been here, he never got the chance or motivation to play, but now here he was, with his warming charms all practised and performed on himself, so all he had was Slytherin sweater and a coat. He could have gone anywhere to play in the snow, but he also liked walking in it, so he decided to go all the way to the forest to both walk and keep the unwanted eyes trailing him. Because he never played with anything, and he didn't want people to think he was softening.

Halting once he was near enough to smell the forest, he stopped and looked around to decide what to do, or how to do. This was his first time in snow for that purpose, after all, and he looked pretty lost.

Then he heard a noise.

Turning around, half-expecting a werewolf as was alleged to be in the forest, he saw a hooded figure approach him... he waited... wasn't that his coat?..

"Aspen?" He'd recognise that hood and COAT anywhere! "What are you doing here?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

It was a day to remember, because João Neves was outside on this FREEZING day to play in the snow. In the last two years he had been here, he never got the chance or motivation to play, but now here he was, with his warming charms all practised and performed on himself, so all he had was Slytherin sweater and a coat. He could have gone anywhere to play in the snow, but he also liked walking in it, so he decided to go all the way to the forest to both walk and keep the unwanted eyes trailing him. Because he never played with anything, and he didn't want people to think he was softening.

Halting once he was near enough to smell the forest, he stopped and looked around to decide what to do, or how to do. This was his first time in snow for that purpose, after all, and he looked pretty lost.

Then he heard a noise.

Turning around, half-expecting a werewolf as was alleged to be in the forest, he saw a hooded figure approach him... he waited... wasn't that his coat?..

"Aspen?" He'd recognise that hood and COAT anywhere! "What are you doing here?"

Her name from Joao actually startled her. Honestly, she'd been layers deep in her own thoughts, and hadn't been expecting anyone, and particularly not... Joao. She stopped her pacing and hit him with one of those long..... penetrating.... searching....looooooooooooooks.

Loooooooooooks.

"Failing," she answered him finally. Aspen was failing at the moment. At what, she didn't say, but it was still an answer. "Or maybe I'm having a breakthrough. I might have accidentally mind-summoned you. Did you feel summoned to this spot?" This was, of course, a deadly serious question from Miss Odessa.

Failing? João frowned. He'd grown relatively accustomed to those long and searching looks, so he could ignore those for the time being. What concerned him was her answer. Although he only showed a little bit of it, he was really concerned about her.

"Well, I..." He wasn't going to reveal his real intention. She'd laugh and not get it. "I only wanted a peaceful place, but that is possible as well." He paused, returning her searching looks.

"Why are you failing or having a breakthrough?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

Failing? João frowned. He'd grown relatively accustomed to those long and searching looks, so he could ignore those for the time being. What concerned him was her answer. Although he only showed a little bit of it, he was really concerned about her.

"Well, I..." He wasn't going to reveal his real intention. She'd laugh and not get it. "I only wanted a peaceful place, but that is possible as well." He paused, returning her searching looks.

"Why are you failing or having a breakthrough?"

Aspen wouldn't have laughed though. She laughed when he was afraid of things he shouldn't be, but she wouldn't have laughed...at him hiding. She reached up and pushed her hood back and the chilly wind immediately had it's wily way with her hair. Mess. Mess. Mess.

"That's what I was failing at. Being alone... but... I was thinking about you and things, so it's okay that you're here. Unless you're going to try and fight. I don't want to fight today. No Mind Chicken either."

Oh. Oh. João went very silent and thoughtful at her words. He wanted to tell her he was there, but he wasn't so sure how she felt about him, so he kept silent and just shook his head slowly.

"No fighting or games. Just you." ... "Would you like to sit?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

Oh. Oh. João went very silent and thoughtful at her words. He wanted to tell her he was there, but he wasn't so sure how she felt about him, so he kept silent and just shook his head slowly.

"No fighting or games. Just you." ... "Would you like to sit?"

Just Aspen? No, that wasn't correct. He was here, too. It was just them. She eyed him, this time suspiciously at his question. "I think better when I'm walking and I'm thinking a lot. Walk with me. I have more questions. But I want answers and opinions without me having to use your wand to get them."

Deal?

João considered her words for a brief moment before simply saying "Okay," to all and waited for her to go on. If that was what would relieve her or save her from failing, he was going for it. Then, maybe she and he would play in the snow.

Maybe.

Aspen nodded to his agreeing, then started back to pacing. Back and forth along a long trek of shadows at the margin of the Forbidden Forest. She listened to his footsteps crunching in the snow and how they sounded differently from her own.

"Did you kiss me because you like me? Like like me? The kind where ... I don't know. You know what I mean. Cornelius said you did, but you don't even know him, do you?"

João wondered for how long his warming charms would work. He wondered if she would laugh at him for cutting off the conversation if they wore out too early. He wondered if she would be completely honest too, and whether he should be, when she talked at last. His first and probably the hardest question.

"Yes, I kissed you because I like you," he said softly, looking into her eyes to see any kind of sign about her affection. "And no, I don't know him." He waited for her to explain who he was. She WOULD explain, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

João wondered for how long his warming charms would work. He wondered if she would laugh at him for cutting off the conversation if they wore out too early. He wondered if she would be completely honest too, and whether he should be, when she talked at last. His first and probably the hardest question.

"Yes, I kissed you because I like you," he said softly, looking into her eyes to see any kind of sign about her affection. "And no, I don't know him." He waited for her to explain who he was. She WOULD explain, right?

...

Aspen...

....had not....

expected that answer. And he said it with such certainty. Aspen stopped walking and LOOKED right back, looking for ... what? A take-back? A hint of sarcasm? She had been so sure Cornelius was wrong.

"But... but why? We haven't... and you..." AND.... this wasn't SENSE-making!

He stopped when she did too, and waited for her to digest. She was disappointed with him? Angry? Confused? Shocked? Even... disgusted?! He stared back, trying to decipher her expression. It was certainly not I like you too my prince! case and that was what really mattered.

Why? "I'm sure there's a biological explanation," he said, trying to keep his voice neutral but it was hard considering the circumstances. As to her other unfinished sentences... he wasn't sure what to say.

"Who's Cornelius?" He needed to talk about something else. Anything but his stupid hormones. How long would it take him to forget her shock? No, forget her in general? A few months? Could a person perform memory charm on himself?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

He stopped when she did too, and waited for her to digest. She was disappointed with him? Angry? Confused? Shocked? Even... disgusted?! He stared back, trying to decipher her expression. It was certainly not I like you too my prince! case and that was what really mattered.

Why? "I'm sure there's a biological explanation," he said, trying to keep his voice neutral but it was hard considering the circumstances. As to her other unfinished sentences... he wasn't sure what to say.

"Who's Cornelius?" He needed to talk about something else. Anything but his stupid hormones. How long would it take him to forget her shock? No, forget her in general? A few months? Could a person perform memory charm on himself?

A biological explanation????

Aspen blinked at him.

....

.....then laughed. Out loud. She covered her mouth with both hands and cackled, her breath making foggy clouds around her in the frigid air.

That was the best answer ever. Even though she had been wrong, and now she was really really confused, that... that answer...

"Cornelius is the boy that holds my hand and listens to me and doesn't think I'm strange," Aspen answered, still smiling and tickled by his reply, "He's also the boy that is.... so upset... I mean, he doesn't hold my hand anymore... because he said I gave you feelings when I kissed you back."

Which was what Aspen was trying to sort out. Had she? It hadn't been on purpose. SHe'd just not wanted Joao to win, and then ... well. Who knew.