Hadley Denaker wasn't actually trying to get into the Forbidden Forest...Not this time at least. She still planned on it one day, but not today.

Nope.

Hadley Denaker was having a picnic. No one was invited, but anyone could join if they wanted to, as long as they didn't mind eating so close to the Forest's edge. She had transfigured a Ravenclaw Tower library book into a picnic basket, which she totally planned on turning back into a book when she was done. She was thinking Hop on Pop instead of the boring book it had been.

She had her basket, filled with food and drink from the kitchen. A blanket. Asher her ferret. And she had set up her picnic area in direct view of the Groundkeeper's hut, just to ruffle the man's feathers a bit. It was a beautiful day.

Now if there was one place about Hogwarts he wished he explored further last term it was the Forbidden Forest. So many stories, so many warnings, so visibly dark and well..... forbidding.

Whats not to like eh? It’s a total vacation brochure to a Gryffindor.

So there the curly top went moseying around, pretending to be out for a walk-- which technically he was-- whilst trying to take a peek at the inviting mystery that lay beyond the tree line. Walk... peek... walk...peek.... tiptoe closer... then back off... walk.. peek.. walk--

-- stub toe.

"Oww!" he muttered hopping on his other foot. What was that? Wait there was someone here?? "Ey whut Denaker? What are you do-- wait are you having a picnic?" By the forest no less? Doesn’t she know its forbidden? As a member of the House of Lions known for their courage and chivalry, there is only one this he has to say about this....

"You got any sandwiches in there? I'm a little hungry."

"Salamander!" She toasted the young lion boy--boy because he wasn't thirteen yet, and she was--with her butterbeer.

This was just more obvious proof she was truly a Gryffindor. No why? No lectures about how dangerous it might be. Nope. Just Pass me a sandwich. Gryffindors were her people. "Of course I do! Pick your poison. There's..." she dug into the basket, checking out what sandwiches there. "Uh, PB and J, tuna, ham, turkey, grilled cheese and my favorite, Philly Cheesesteak." The last one she had to get them to make a few special. Thankfully, her mother being a professional chef meant Hadley knew recipes fairly well. Even if any attempt she herself made to cook those recipes needed to be disposed of as toxic waste...she still knew them and was able to tell the house elves how too. "I highly recommend it. We also have bags of home-made...well, house elf made, chips. Both American kind and British kind." In other words, crisps and fries. "And two thermoses of butterbeer. Help yourself." She gestured for him to have a seat.

"If you were planning to sneak into the Forest, I'd advise somewhere else, and waiting until McLeod is out of his hut first." She gave the boy a nonchalant shrug. "Got caught trying to sneak in right about here last year. He didn't believe we were having a party, so now I'm having a picnic." She toasted the Groundskeeper's Hut. Was he watching this? She was at the edge of the Forest, but she wasn't going in. Nope. It really was a party this time. Well, picnic. But still. Nothing he could do about it. She might have been grinning her signature devious smirk right now. Maybe.

"Daayyyyymm that’s some stash Denaker..." this girl knew how to picnic! "Awwyea-- them Phillys got my name on it thanks!" He plopped himself down next to her grabbing a handful of crispy chips. Crunch crunch crunching away "This is quite the picnic spot you picked Haddie. Some might say it’s a very subtle way of Gryffindoring." Which is unheard of. Gryffindor and subtle don’t usually belong in the same sentence.

"Also, I wasn’t trying to sneak in...." he started between a mouthful of fries "I was just trying to sightsee, like fer reals." Nod nod totally true. "There are Centaurs here, and at some point Hogwarts took in some Abraxans. I just wanna see if I could get lucky and spot one." Or both. Or a herd. But you know-- something.

But wait, full stop, delayed realization kicking in "Just a sec-- you were already here last term, not just trying to sneak in but having a party even?" Is she being serious? "And why wasn’t I invited?" Because clearly invites to a party at the forbidden forest was totally of a more pressing matter than sweating out the details of safety and security. "Is that the party where your t-shirt came from, the one you wore on the train?" Clearly he was very amused with it.

Haddie nodded. "I know how to picnic. They used to be a thing in family, like, five years ago? Four? Some where around then." She took another bite of her own philly cheesesteak. Got to give the House elfs credit. They knew how to cook. "Gryffindoring?" That was a new term for her, but whatever it meant she was sure she was going to like it.

"Really?" Just wandering around trying to get a look in? Come on, Ten, you could do better than that. "Abraxans?" She knew what centaurs were. Even if she wasn't a greek mythology closet nut, she'd know what those were, but Abraxans, no idea.

Hadley laughed and shook her head at the over-exaggerated interpretation of what she was saying or at least trying to say. "Well first, I hadn't met you yet. But if I ever do have a Forbidden Forest party, you'll get invited. Don't worry." She paused long enough to enjoy a few fries and and a swig of butterbeer. "And we were only trying to sneak in and explore. Well, I was. Rachel was reluctant. McLeod caught us and said something like," she put on her best McLeod voice, "'Having a party are we?' And I just played along with that, and he took points for 'lying.' So, now," Hadley grinned and gestured around them. "We're having a picnic and he can't do anything, because we aren't actually trying to sneak in, and we're really having a picnic." Why, you might be wondering? We'll mostly she was bored.

"Ah," she grinned, a bit sheepishly, and yet not sheepish at all. "No, the shirt was just me expressing that I have absolutely no business being in Ravenclaw. I mean the House is great, if you belong in it..." She shrugged. "Dad got me a t-shirt maker as a forgiveness bribe."

Melbourne Johanson was going adventuring. Really, was there any question that the now second year wouldn’t go on a few little adventures? She had slowly walked from the school around the grounds before she neared the forest and tiptoed past the hunky slytherin head of house’s hut…really, it was kind of silly that he still lived outside of the castle when all of his charges lived IN the castle.

Still she needed this. An adventure. Something fun and exhilarating that possibly could make the second year’s experience at the school. Dashing forward she stopped at the edge of the forest and looked about it didn’t look like anyone was near there…but wait? There were voices…slipping behind a tree she ducked behind a tree and glanced around trying to find the voices before she continued on her little treck. This time, she was ready for whatever was to come, her wand was holstered on her hip and she was ready!

SPOILER!!: Mel

Melbourne Johanson was going adventuring. Really, was there any question that the now second year wouldn’t go on a few little adventures? She had slowly walked from the school around the grounds before she neared the forest and tiptoed past the hunky slytherin head of house’s hut…really, it was kind of silly that he still lived outside of the castle when all of his charges lived IN the castle.

Still she needed this. An adventure. Something fun and exhilarating that possibly could make the second year’s experience at the school. Dashing forward she stopped at the edge of the forest and looked about it didn’t look like anyone was near there…but wait? There were voices…slipping behind a tree she ducked behind a tree and glanced around trying to find the voices before she continued on her little treck. This time, she was ready for whatever was to come, her wand was holstered on her hip and she was ready!

It wasn't as if Mason was a stalker. No way. . . but when she saw Mel creeping past McDreamboat's cabin, she knew that something was up. And it wasn't like she had been outside for any weird reasons, she had been walking back from the Pitch, her broom and beater-club already stored. That's when she saw the Gryffindor, not even wearing her robes, headed towards the Forest.

So naturally, unable to contain her curiosity, Mason abandoned her treck back to the castle, pursuing Mel instead. She crept a few yards behind the girl, softly and swiftly, making sure that she wasn't spotted. There wasn't much hiding place for if Mel were to turn around, but the girl didn't seen to notice as Mason crept behind her. She followed her until they reached the Edge of the Forest, her heart already hammering in anticipation. What was she doing here? Why wasn't she wearing her robes? Why was her wand ready at her side? Was she going into the Forest? Was she going on an adventure? Without MASON? Unacceptable!

Mel ducked suddenly as if she had heard something, she seemed to be peering at said-something from behind a tree, whatever it was. . . Mason darted towards her, careful not to step on any twigs as she made her way towards her, "What are we looking for?" she whispered once she reached Mel, "You didn't think that you'd be going on an adventure without me, did you?"

Pffftttt. Foolish assumption to say the least. . .

Mel heard the footsteps and froze, there was someone near by…was it McHunkins come to escort her to detention? She wouldn’t mind…he was dreamy and so out of reach that she wouldn’t feel bad when he didn’t like her…she was a little kid after all…but maybe she could find people for her cousins and siblings? Kind of act like the matchmaker for the Johanson clan…this is McHunkins he has a job and everything…yeah her cousins probably would hex her for that but she’d be fine with that…he’d still be eyecandy.

When she heard Mason’s voice she just grinned. “Of course not, I wasn’t planning on going in…we’re not in yet technically…” she grinned. “But yes…I needed an adventure but I sent Moriarty to you with a note but I think he got lost…or fell asleep…he’s the worst owl.” She huffed quietly.

“But shhh there is someone over there” she muttered and tiptoed closer to the picnic group. “Oh. Merlin…and I wanted to scale a tree and watch for McLeod” she grinned. “Really, you are lucky your head of house is very….” She blushed a bit instead of finishing her comment as she slipped away from the treeline.

The Forbidden Forest.. more like the forbidden area given the circumstances being displayed. Of course the Groundskeeper would notice when students were approaching the forest. He had a thing with certain charms that would alert him to check through the window. It wasn't just one or two but four. Hmph. Already on the first week of school and there were risks being made.

Stepping out, Justin came out heading towards the two sitting on a blanket with food. Food.. resembling a picnic. Let's see.. it looked like two Gryffindors and a Ravenclaw. Well, three Gryffindors if he took into account how much Miss Denaker wanted to be one based on her attire at the feast and... a Slytherin. He gave them all looks to take in the scene as his arms folded. Oh he had words for this scene, but first things first.

"Does anyone care to explain what's going on here?" Not that he didn't have a concrete idea given the nice view he had from his hut but he had to give them a chance to explain. It had better be the truth for one.

He saw! A wide grin spread across the Californian girl's face when she saw the Groundskeeper burst out of his hut and storm his way over to them. The expression he was wearing was utter perfection. She was still fully unaware of Mel and Mason sneaking around behind trees. So from her vantage point it was just her, Salamander and Grump.

Haddie took a nice leisurely sip of her butterbeer, clearly not in a hurry to answer, then looked around casually at the blanket, the food, the picnic basket. "We're having a picnic. Clearly." They weren't in the forest. Weren't getting any closer given that, y'know, the blanket and food was set up here. They were at least a good 15 feet away from the edge, if not more. "Picnics are allowed, aren't they?" With that, she reached into basket and pulled out a ham sandwich, because she wasn't about to waste a perfectly good Philly Cheesesteak on the grumpy Groundskeeper, and held it up for him. "Hungry? We have plenty."

Melbourne winced when she heard the Groundskeepers voice…of course it was charmed. She knew it had to be, in a way she was testing her theories…someone was obviously paying a lot of attention to what they were doing here now weren’t they…well, it was the forbidden forest but still…people obviously had been there in the past before right? They had to have been.

Stepping closer she further out into the open as if she were never THAT close to the forest…she’d only ducked behind the trees closer to the hut as it were…not IN the forest itself. Signaling for Mason to follow she just plastered a friendly smile on her face.

“I can’t believe I got lost trying to find this…Hady had the brilliant idea of having food outside…” She grinned at the groundskeeper. “I suggested we have it here and keep watch for the hag…” she nodded as if that were a perfectly sane thing to do. The woman had after all tried to eat a student last term.

Mason gave Mel a wide grin. OBVIOUSLY they were lucky. Their House was the sexiest, so it was kinda expected that they would have a Hawt Head.

Before she could say this to Mel, however, a voice from behind interrupted their adventure. It hadn't even begun yet and it was already done. . . cause said voice was none othere thaN McDreamboat himself. . . -__- perfect. Mason peered out from behind the tree, looking at origin of the voices. . . was that Haddie? And a random Curly? Were they on a date? What? At least she and Mel wouldn't be the only ones in trouble. . .

Why was he even asking? They were trying to go on an adventure, duh. But it would be fricken STUPID if that was the answer she gave. So with her best innocent-smile plastered on her face, she turned to her new Head of House, "Oh, Professor McLeod! What a nice surprise seeing you here!" She was playing dumb, cause dumb-people did dumb things and usually got away with it. "It's just what Haddie said! We're having a picnic! Haddie just turned 13 and we wanted to celebrate! Mel and I were running a little late, since I was at the Quidditch Pitch and she was waiting for me."

She flashed him another smile and tugged at Mel's arm, leading her towards were Haddle and unknown-Curly Head sat. "Do have anymore Butter beer?" See? Just an innocent picnic with a bunch of innocent kids. . . totally wasn't about to sneak in there.

"Mmhm, Gryffindoring." the leonine lad repeated with pride between mouthfuls of that delectable sandwich "Like, why bother taking the stairs when you can parachute your way to the ground floor?" Pause. Wait why hasn’t he done that yet? Bucket list!

"True story bro. I had bait too but them party poopin Hogsmeade police found it and confiscated it. Said it was contraband, specially for someone my age." he snorted. Wait does she not know what Abraxans are? "Yeah Abraxans-- majestic flying horses about the size of a house. My folks just got me a baby one for my birthday-- wait seriously you've never heard of them?"Then it should be his mission to have Haddie see one!

"Whoah wait-- you got a t-shirt maker?" That is all kinds of cool "Can you make me one that says 'I could've been a Ravenclaw?' It'll be a matching shirt to yours. Heck we can wear it the next time we go GryffinClawing!" Yeah yeah? You know that’s a great idea.

Groundskeeper alert! He turned to look as the tall man lorded over them. Hadley seemed to keep things in stride so the Gryffindor decided to just chill and play the part. "Always plenty of room for yah guv'nah!" he added, toasting his sandwich in the air. If there was a chair he'd pull one up for him already.

Whoah full stop-- that was Mel's voice. And then there was another student? He gave Hady a so-this-IS-a-party look then started to break out the butterbeer. One for Mel, one for the other girl, and a full frothy glass of don’t-lose-your-cool-just-have-a-cold-one-on-us just for you Mr Groundskeeper .

How about that, an almost reasonable lie. Almost being the keyword after hearing them all. It was quite.. disappointing to hear. Justin then shook his head before speaking calmly, "Don't think I didn't see you coming back from the trees Miss Johanson and Miss Stevens on my way over. That'll be 10 points from the each of you for straight up lying and for actually entering." How utterly disappointing. "Professor Flamsteed will hear of this Miss Johanson." The trees weren't even far from his view.

As for the other picnic dwellers. "Miss Denaker and Master Salander. You may not see anything wrong settling here but this is precisely why even a little gathering is discouraged even within close proximity of the forest. More people will arrive which in turn leads to some curiosity towards the next visible place as these two showcased." He was young once, he remembered how their minds worked.

Not to mention, "A set of food looking this appetising you are going to attract certain creatures and not friendly ones at that." Therefore, "Unless you also want house points taken this picnic will have to be packed up and set up elsewhere immediately." This was considered their one and only warning.

"Gryffindoring...sounds like my life...and the way I wish my life was, all rolled into one." While she hadn't exactly parachuted down from the towers, as amazingly tempting as that was, there was no doubt in her mind if she had a parachute she would be on her way to do that this instance. "Where do you even buy a parachute?" Because that was the hole in making this happen.

"Magical flying horses the size of houses?" Hadley almost choked on her butterbeer...almost. "I've not heard of them or seen one..." She was trying to form a mental picture of what one would look like. "And your parents bought you one!?" Okay, so Salamander had the coolest parents ever. But more importantly, "So, will you invite me over sometime to see the Abraxan?" Because, well she wanted to see one. Plus, if his parents were that cool, it'd be a great place to hang. And you'll have your shirt the next time I see you." Maybe she could start a trend of people announcing their alternate houses or something via shirt. She could even start selling them!

Ka-ching!

Moving on. Bernie and Mase? They appeared out of the blue, and started covering for her. She didn't really need it, since all she was doing was literally having a picnic, but it was appreciated none-the-less. Though the way-too-serious Groundskeeper deducting points for 'lying' gave Hadley a bit of deja vu. At least it wasn't her this year. Handing a thermos of butterbeer and a cup to Mason, Hadley glanced around at her friends, playing along as if they were all meant to be here and had decided on this together. "What do you say? Shall we risk it and stay here, or move like Groundskeeper Willy wants us too?"

Melbourne had been stalking through the trees yes, that had been true. Still, Groundskeeper McLeod would get it right? If she just said it….I thought my best friend was on a date with my other best friend…yeah no. He’d not get that. She’d just sound like a jealous lil’witch. The brunette sent Tenacius a nod that was far more curt than she had meant it to be…really, she wasn’t herself today with the willingly going into a spider-zone. SPIDERS here weren’t mere S-P-I-D-E-R-S they were far more heart wrenchingly threatening than the ones in Aus – wait. Was there an Australian breed of Agromantula? If there were surely THOSE would be the deadliest beasts to ever grace the world.

Austromantulas…yep…that was what she was going to call them to herself and no one else. The obviously slightly off Gryffindor walked closer to the groundskeeper and frowned when he mentioned the trees, “of course sir” she nodded remorsefully. It wasn’t that she was sad about not going into the forest…well, a part of her really was sad that she hadn’t gone in there. It was an adventurers dream!

Battling the spi…yeah no, spiders were a no go. Mel just sighed when she heard him mentioning that their party had attracted them. No. It hadn’t. They had planned this separately but it wasn’t like she was going to go any further not when she’d probably just loose more points and they didn’t need that now did they? What. In. Hades?

What was Hads doing? Mel’s eyes widened as she Hads was obviously challenging Groundskeeper Mchotstuffleod. “I…wha-um.” She hardly could speak somewhat because of the strange reaction she had to seeing Hads and Tenacius together…why was she thinking his name so…so harshly? She wondered furrowing her brows at her friends for a moment. “Thanks for the butterbeer….s-sorry about everything Sir,” she muttered aloud and looked over to Mason for a bit.

“Mase? You want to uh…treehouse maybe? Talk?” Right. That made complete and utter sense. “Um…we could move the picnic to the lake? It’s probably just as dangerous with the grindylows, the merpeople, and other nameless creatures” she shrugged and then sent Ace a little grin. “I’m always going to remember our first ride here when we fell in.” She grinned widely. Yep. That was a fun time.

Whoah wait Melly got docked points? For what walking? His curly head spun between his friends and the Groundskeeper and then the tall man addressed them directly. He lowered his hand that had the offered drink and stood. Think quickly Salander! "Uhm wait!... Actually its none of their faults-- its me. I wanted to go see Centaurs and Abraxans and hey yeah, that’s why we got food." Makes sense yeah? "That’s why we're at the edge of the forest Mr McLeod-- of course we're not gonna go in. Because its forbidden." So theyre not that dumb, Ravenclaw presence notwithstanding. "Yeah we are taking a chance, but given that there isnt any other place we know of that has Centaurs within spying distance, we thought-- hey why not see if they'd show up and share a drink or a bite? Centaurs would appreciate a kind invitation innit?"

Melbourne just eyed Ace Tenacius…darn she’d failed at thinking of him only as Tenacius because he wasn’t just that he was her best friend…well, other than Sammy and Haddy and Mason…but still, he was the reason she even met Sammy and that meant something to her.

She gave Tenacius a shocked expression, “Stop….” She practically whispered it was quiet, but really, the points were fair. If anything though she wouldn’t be allowed to go to Hogsmeade for one of those weekends…which wouldn’t be fun now would it? Still, it was sort of heartwarming…NO IT WAS ANYTHING BUT HEART WARMING…it was…friendly. Yep. Friendly that he was trying to get the points removed.

“Sir…Mister McLeod, I am sorry. Please, uh…don’t listen to my friend…I understand that you have to take points from me for lying…because I did lie and head into the forest.” She was standing tall….or as tall as someone as impossibly short as her could stand. “He’s trying to be a good friend…but if you must or feel the need to remove more points please take them from me.” She wasn’t being chivalrous really. She was thinking about what Emmy would do when she found out. She’d probably hop on a train and yell at Ace in person and her…she’d yell at her too because obviously Melbourne Johanson was a bad influence.

Oh the young Gryffindors. Being consistent with their typical behavior in Justin's eyes. He had to smile at that. "You should listen to Miss Johansen here, Master Salander lying isn't meant to be taken lightly." Especially a bad one at that. "He rose a brow at the nickname from Miss Denaker and Miss Steven's growing silence, but given the circumstance there were more pressing matters.

Wasn't it about time to stop diddling around? Surely with this picnic they wanted to keep it going even if it meant elsewhere. Justin expected to hear a reaction from everyone, but oh well, no biggie. "You could argue your case all you'd like on staying here, but this area still isn't allowed to be approached without any staff's presence and permission." They wanted to see centaurs though apparently. "Centuars typically don't approach our areas to mingle unless necessary in which Professor Draper could explain more on why.. Give the Pathways or the Great Lake another chance. Some friendly creatures occasionally pop up there." Which was the truth.

Now was there anything left to settle?

This was getting a bit old. Hadley had had her fun and now she was just hungry. Still she wasn't really one to back down all that easily, even when she should. So she remained quiet while the others stated their cases.

Hads would have to admit that some of those cases were tempting her to stay, like seeing a centaur. Her love of Greek Mythology was really at work on that one. Though, it sounded like the likelihood of seeing was next to nil. There was no way she was going to ask Drapes why they don't really approach, either. No thank you.

Hadley sighed and stood up. "Come on guys, Let's relocate this to the Great Lake. See if we can't bribe Bartholomew, the Giant Squid into doing our bidding with delicious food." She stretched a moment, collected the picnic basket, and started off toward the lake. After a few steps, she paused and waited for the others, or those that wanted to join her, to catch up.

In the middle of the December day the sun was shining, air was cold, and it seemed like a peaceful moment on the grounds. Though it was daylight a greenish glow started to be seen through the trees of the forest.


The glow seemed to be the start, but it wasn't all that was new with the forest. An eerie but hypnotic lullaby could soon be heard.

Miranda came walking along the edge of the forest when a strange glow began to shine from within the forest... As though whatever it was was just beyond eye shot.
' What a lovely song' she thought to herself as she edged closer to the trees. Trying to get a look at whatever was glowing. She felt herself almost drawn to the low lithe notes in the odd music, but still she stood there looking.... Though she couldn't make anything out she still stood and stared.....

Hadley was feeling anxious being inside again. She still got those feels, but they were much more infrequent than they had been right after summer. Maybe it was because she was nervous about going back to London for the Christmas Break. She was happy that the Watsons were willing to let her stay with them. It meant she wouldn't have to stay, alone, in the castle. But at the same time, being so close to home, where her Dad could possibly come get her and force her to come home wasn't the...

The...

...

...huh?

Everything she had been thinking about was forgotten as she neared the edge of the Forbidden Forest. A hauntingly gorgeous lullaby that grabbed her attention like an iron vice. Without meaning too, Hadley Denaker found herself being drawn, step by step, toward the source.

Torie was always doing everything he could to avoid going near the forest, even for class. But he was walking on the grounds and could hear something, a song of sorts. Where was it coming from? Slowly he started walking and the farther he walked the more clearly he heard the lullaby. He wasn't even really paying attention as to where he was heading, and if he knew it was the forest he would never go there, not after the spiders in his first year.

Not even the greenish glow was deterring him or preventing him from following the music. Whatever it was was making him follow it in search of where it was coming from.