The Forbidden Forest
 

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It looks dark and ominous doesn't it? That's because it is, there are all sorts of things residing in the forest. It is forbidden for a reason, so if you are caught in here then be prepared to pay the price.

Even though the students had been told that they were to stay out of the forest, Seb knew that there would be at least a handful of students that were going try his patience. Which is why he had warded the boundary of the forest so that he knew when someone crossed the line.

And he was out the back of his hut watering the garden when he felt it. With a heavy sigh, Seb ceased what he was doing and walked around the hut and headed towards the Forbidden Forest. He could not see anyone which meant that whoever it was had gone further in then he had thought.

Placing his wand to his throat and with a muttered, 'Snorous' he began to speak into the forest. "I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE AND YOU HAVE EXACTLY THIRTY SECONDS TO SHOW YOURSELF. THE LONGER YOU MAKE ME WAIT THE MORE POINTS YOU WILL LOSE." It was already an automatic fifteen points and he would up it in increments of five points for each thirty second interval he was made to wait.

"AND IF I HAVE TO COME IN THERE AND GET YOU, THEN YOU CAN EXPECT A DETENTION AS WELL."

Point made, yes?

Sigh. Ten seconds in the forest weren't too much to ask, was it? Glenn crawled from her nook and shimmied down the tree trunk onto the leaves below. She turned around slowly. Where had she come from? There. It must of been there.

She weaved through the trees, heading throughout a thicket of bushes, the twigs scratched at her arms and face. But... it was getting darker.

Pretty sure she'd already gone over the thirty second deadline, Glenn walked a bit further into the forest. Blinking in the near darkness, she turned around again, choosing a direction at random and walking aimlessly for a another couple of minutes.

Wait. This couldn't be right either. The shadows seemed to be watching her. There weren't still centaurs here, right? The blonde continued to walk in a random direction, the darkness getting a little thicker each minute.

Seb waited a full minute for the misbehaving child to emerge but they didn't and he could not hear any sounds to say that they were even making their way out of the forest. With a small groan and a grim expression he set off after the wayward child.

Only problem was, the kid could be anywhere. This forest was huge and it also contained a lot of not so nice creatures in there. He placed his wand to his throat again. "CAN YOU PLEASE SEND UP SOME SPARKS SO THAT I CAN FIND WHERE YOU ARE."

Glenn looked up to the sliver of sky visible between the trees. Sparks. She knew how to do those. Just point her wand and jab. Easy. She reached into her pocket and grabbed hold of her wand handle. But... why? She was perfectly capable of finding her way out of this forest... she had just gone the wrong way... that was all.

She turned around - straight ahead. She'd gone straight ahead. Glenn took a few steps - and sat sat down at the base of a tree. Chocking back a small sob, she pulled out her rosewood wand and jabbed it at the sliver of sky, "Red," She whispered. Why was she scared? She'd grown up next to a forest... but her brother had always been there. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she cowered in her coat.

Well thank Merlin, the student knew how to send up sparks which meant that this was no first year and that whoever it was in there, should know better. Seb shook his head and made his way towards where the sparks had flown into the air.

It took him no longer than five minutes to find the young girl sitting on the forest floor with a huge tree at her back. He could have yelled at her for being out of bounds and for entering into a dangerous place on her own, but he could see that she was scared and well he just didn't do the whole yelling thing.

"Come on." he said holding out his hand to her. "We'll talk about it when we get back."

Glenn sat against her tree, looking up at the sliver of sky between the trees. Seeing a shadow, she shivered, following it until the shadow transformed into a man.

She looked up at him. He must be the groundskeeper. Glenn ignored his hand and stood up, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her coat. She brought a hand through her hair, pulling the twigs from her curls. The blonde looked down at the ground and said, "So what way is it out of the forest?" Her voice wavered. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She should have marked her way out, with chalk or something. Wouldn't have to be found looking like such a girl, crying.

He raised his eyebrows but said nothing, merely stepped aside so that the young girl could make her way back to the grounds. And even though there was a waver in her voice, Seb couldn't help but think she was being a little rude.

No thank you for coming into the forest to get her. Nor was there an apology for coming into the forest in the first place when she knew that she wasn't supposed to.

Again though, he said nothing and gave his wand a wave creating his dragonfly patronus which flew around the girl for a moment before slowly flying in the direction in which Seb had come. "That way." The Groundskeeper finally said, indicating for the girl to follow his patronus.

"You realise." he began as they started walking. "That by my calculations, you've lost about fifty house points and earned yourself a detention." Just thought he should point that out, so if she was feeling bad, that piece of information should make her feel even worse, shouldn't it?

A dragonfly patronus? Hmm. What'd that say about his personality? Buzzing, annoying... probably. When she learnt how to make a patronus, she bet it'd be awesome. Some cool, large animal. Not a bug.

Glenn followed the silvery bug into the forest, trudging over the leaves in her boots. She let her hair fall over her face as they walked. She supposed that telling her she'd lost points and earned a detention was one of those stupid things adult would say when they knew that you knew but told you anyway. Points didn't really worry her, Hufflepuff was already trailing behind, it wouldn't make that much difference to the scores. But detention...

Seeing a slimmer of light between the trees, Glenn sped up her pace. Reaching the edge of the forest, she hovered just outside, looking through the trees at the forest. It's not like a detention would stop her going back in... it's not like it could have been THAT dangerous. She'd just need to go in with someone... mark the trees so she didn't forget. Maybe next term.

She shook her hair from her hair, stuck out her chin and looked up at the Groundskeeper. So, when was her detention then?

The young Hufflepuff didn't have a lot to say, did she? Apparently losing all those points and getting a detention had no effect on her whatsoever. Seb, could see the look of defiance on her face and he got the feeling she just didn't care and that she was likely to get herself into trouble again.

Teenagers for some reason seemed to go through this stage, he was not sure why. Mia had done the same thing at that age as well, so he was quite used to it and knew exactly how to handle it.

"I'm not going to send you to the dungeons." Yet. Depended on whether she completed the task he set for her. "Instead, I want you to write up a sign saying, 'I lost Hufflepuff fifty points.' And you will wear it around your neck for a week. And your are to go to your Head of House and Prefects and tell them why you lost all those points. If you fail to do this then I will put you in the dungeons. Understood?"

She... wasn't going into the dungeons? Glenn looked up, surprised. Oh but course; there was more. She frowned as she listened at the mention of her head of house and prefects, she bit into her lip so hard she nearly drew blood. Was. He. Serious?

Human interaction itself was bad enough. Now she had to tell all the important people in her house why she was wearing some stupid sign around her neck all week. Let's humiliate the girl who went in the forest. Hmpf. Laura had done much worse than her and never had to wear a sign around her neck announcing her points loss.

Arranging her face so she wouldn't yell, she replied in a strained voice, "I understand." She glanced toward the castle, "May I go work on my sign now?" She said with maybe the tiiiiiiiiiiniest hint of sarcasm - hopefully just the right amount that the groundskeeper emperor of evilness, wouldn't notice.

Seb raised an eyebrow at the look on the girl's face. No doubt she thought that her punishment was totally unfair. Well that was just too bad, he didn't see that spending a few hours in the dungeon was going to do this girl any good. Besides embarrassment and disappointment always worked a treat.

"By all means." he said, gesturing with his hand for her to return to the castle. He had to go and finish watering the garden anyway. "Don't forget to report back to me in a week's time."

Myrtle floated out the wall of her bathroom and straight out over the grounds. If anyone were to look up, they'd see her, only they'd likely think she was nothing more than a thin, wispy cloud in the cold October sky. She moved in to the Forbidden Forest and hovered around a clump of trees for a bit, her cheeks still tearstained from earlier in the bathroom.

"Boohoooooohooooo," the ghosty sniffled, much more softly than she would in her own bathroom. There was no audience around so there was no point in wailing loudly. Also, the acoustics out here suuuuuuuucked.

"BOOHOOHOO," Myrtle tried a little louder, looking at a rabbit. "BOOHOOHOOHOO!"

If the situation wasn't so dire then Seb might have laughed at young Alexa trying to be all innocent like. He had heard about her antics earlier in the year and while she hasn't gotten herself into trouble since, he knew that she wasn't about to turn all goody two shoes anytime soon.

"I have to be hands on." He corrected her while giving her a look. "Remember what I said before? No heroics." He was a staff member of the school so he needed to be responsible but Seb knew that if it did get ugly, the two girls had no intentions of running and yet he was still going to let them come.

He figured they had the right to.

Seb paused for a moment when Minerva spoke. That was a valid question. "Well...maybe...no." He said with a shake of his head. "I don't think Professor Bentley would keep anything that dangerous in her greenhouse and well if she did then I'm sure she would have it contained properly." Right? Merlin, he hoped so.

Minerva was proving to be quite valuable. Seb was so focused on finding the plant and killing it that he wasn't thinking about what would happen if he found Pepper or Millie. Maybe he was just readying himself for the inevitable. "Yeah good idea. You can summon the treats from my hut." She did know how to do that, right?

"They used to be my thing." Seb said, lighting up the end of his wand also. "A long time ago." But he had never worked with anything like this and to be honest he didn't even know what kind of plant it was and how to get rid of it.

He did let out a small chuckle though. Vanora had quite the sense of humour. "I was thinking more along the lines of flaming torches." The smile on his faded though, the moment they stepped to the edge of the forest and he gave his fellow colleague a sideways glance. "Should we split up?"

Minerva hurried to keep up, she did not want to be away from the adults, but wanted to summon the treats before leaving. Having the treats in her robe she made sure they wouldn't fall out once she stopped at the edge of the forest. It looked so big and scary. Bigger then she remembered, but she had never been this close to it nor had she ever even thought about going in. Taking a few deep breaths she looked at the others. She wasn't sure why, but Christmas popped in her head and how nice and comforting Mr. Gibbins was to her, knowing it was her first time staying at the castle instead of being with family. She walked closer to him and put her hand on his arm. "It...it will be okay." That was about all she could get out from nerves and emotions to try and help about Pepper and Millie.

The more time went on the more she started feeling the sense that they would not find Millie, the vision of the plant was just to strong in her head, but Pepper was a mystery. No one saw her leave, no one saw her taken, so there was still hope in Minerva's mind they could find her. Please let us find Pepper, please let us find Pepper. She started pleading in her head. Looking at Mr. Gibbins and Professor Newlin she lifted her wand "Lumos". "I'm ready, which way should we go first?"

Right...hands on...she would have to remember that excuse the next time someone annoyed her. "Oh I wasn't being violent simply very hands on. Yup. She was sure she could pull it off too. It sounded like a pretty legit excuse if you asked her. Lex almost corrected him when he reminded them about the running bit but then she remember she had agreed so she nodded. Yeah right.

Watching everyone light the tip of their wand she did the same, beaming just a bit at the fact that this was one thing everyone was doing that she could do too without much difficulty.

She nearly choked out of shock and pure joy when she heard first Professor Newlin talking about pitchforks then Shiny Ground's Keeper talking about torches. Finally someone was getting it!!! They needed some kind of angry mob going after that thing, torching it by the root if possible!!!!! This made her so happy in fact that she almost never heard when he asked if they should split up.

"Doesn't that make it easier for it to pick us off? Like what if we split up then the plant grabs Professor Newlin," because she wasn't even gonna think about the plant grabbing the Shiny Ground's Keeper, nope, "Then Minnie gets left alone?" Assuming Minnie would have been the one to go with the woman because...ahem...shewasstayingwithhim; 'nough said.

Well then.

It seemed like she was in good company, seeing as Sebastian not only knew plants, but he was also thinking along the same lines of her again. Pitchforks and flaming torches. Perhaps if they weren't going into the forbidden forest, though, they would have been useful. There were things inside those trees, and flaming torches were one way to be seen.

Shaking her head slightly, they weren't about to go kill the beast after all, Vanora followed behind the group until they reached the edge of the forest. And despite the fact that they were about to go on some wild plant hunt, she was excited to step foot inside. She wasn't excited about Alexa picking her off to be eaten by the plant, however. She shot the girl with a look. "I think I'll be just fine, thank you." She knew defense spells!

And as for splitting up.. "If you think that's a good idea. You can take the girls, and I can go.." she glanced around before pointing in a random direction. "that way." Yes?

Seb stared down at Minerva's hand on his arm. Such a sweet gesture and it warmed his heart, that the stuents could be so understanding. Well these two students at least. He gave the young Hufflepuff a small smile and patted her hand. "Thanks Minerva. That's very nice of you." Actually he should have expected nothing less. She was a Huffelpuff after all.

Alexa looked just a little too excited. Seb knew that he was going to have to keep a close eye on her. He did however raise an eyebrow at her comments. "I think Professor Newlin can look after herself." The woman could probably do a better job than he could. He was not saying that out loud however.

As for Minnie being left alone...well that didn't seem likely. Especially after Vanora piped up and his eyebrows raised again. Everything in him was telling him that letting her go off on her own was not a good idea, but he didn't want her thinking it was because she was a woman.

"Er...well..." He didn't know whether it was a good idea to split up or not, it had merely been a suggestion. It seemed though, that Vanora was keen to go her own way. "Well if you're sure. Send me a patronus if you find the plant or you get into any trouble." He wasn't going to regret this, was he? "You ready, girls?"

Minerva smiled and tightened her grip around her wand. So they really were going into the forest. Well they walked all this way of course they were going in. She felt fear, but excitement until she heard Professor Newlin speak and she spun and looked at her. "Alone.. Professor you don' have to go alone. I..I could go with you and Alexa could go with Mr. Gibbins. I know you two would know better, but I don't know if anyone should be in their alone..."

Looking back at the forest she thought about Professor Newlin going in alone, no that couldn't do..but Gibbins was just letting her do it. So maybe they did know better then her. Maybe Professor Newlin was some great danger expert. She had to trust the adults with her safety so she would do what she was told. Taking a look at Alexa and Professor Newlin in case she wanted to take Min u pon her offer she shook her head, "Yes.. I'm ready."

What?

Why was everyone looking at her like that? It was possible for the plant to haul the Professor off. Did they think it couldn't? She was only stating a fact so them trying to convince her just wasn't working. Her eyes went wide when the woman decided she'd go on her own after all Lex had just said. Dear Merlin.

JFDVJDF DFDV!!!

And the Shiny Ground's Keeper was just going to let her go?! Without telling her not to be an idiot?!?! Nuuuuuuu. She actually liked Professor Newlin, what if the plant really did haul her away. She had to say something!

"I'm sure she's very good at defending herself and that she know's how to chop a root," Who didn't, "But that doesn't make things any better! Don't you realize that in all horror movies people do fine then the moment they split up--BAM people start dropping off like flies." She wibbled a bit, not wanting to think of what would happen the moment the woman disappeared further into the forest. What made things worse she seemed genuinely determined to go it alone.

Finally the 11 year old sighed. If there was a funeral she wouldn't be going. "Yeah...I guess I'm ready too." Did you hear the tone of voice Newlin; the kid was crushed.

So..

Now that she was all ready, and even picked a direction she wanted to go, they were saying that it was a bad idea to split up? Dear Merlin, children were confusing. And it made her kind of glad that she was only there to teach them. Actually, it made her very glad she was only there to teach them. Animals were never confusing.

Well, most of the time they weren't. But that wasn't important at the moment.

Turning towards Alexa, Vanora raised her eyebrows as she listened to the girl's long spiel. She.. actually wasn't a fan of horror movies, so everything she was saying was for nothing. And it wasn't like she had never been in the forest before. It was just that, now there could be a crazy person and animal eating plant inside of it. But as long as she knew it about it, she would be safe. Right? Right. "I promise I will not drop like flies." She had no idea what that meant anyway, but she held up her hand in a swear. "I won't even be far from you all, and like Mr. Gibbins' said, I'll send a patronus if anything happens. I'll be fine."

And with that, Vanora headed in the direction she had pointed to earlier, making sure to give each of the girls a reassuring pat on the top of their heads. The longer they just stood there, the more unlikely it would be that they'd find the wombat. And the dog. And her abraxan.

The moment the words had left his mouth, Seb KNEW that the girls were going to protest and that they were going to be giving him looks. Those looks that said, 'are you crazy for letting her go into the forest alone?' He wanted to tell them he really didn't want to let Vanora go off alone but he had been around long enough to know that if you told someone that they couldn't or shouldn't do something, then they would just go ahead and do it anyway. Just to prove a point.

"Alexa." He said, trying to hide the exasperation in his voice. "They're just movies. It's not real." Not that Seb had watched many movies in his time, but he had seen a few and he knew that it was all make believe unless it was based on a true story and horror movies most certainly were not. "Nobody is dropping like flies." He sincerely hoped not anyway.

He glanced at Vanora and nodded his head. "Stay safe." Because if anything happened to her, it would be his fault for letting her go off alone and he really didn't want to feel anymore crappy then he did right now.

"Okay girls, walk ahead of me and keep your eyes peeled for anything."

Minerva gave Alexa an odd look with the horror movie comments. Did we have to bring those horrid things into it. Minerva hated horror movies, she didn't like to be scared, but in Minerva's 15 year old mind Alexa had a point. Someones alone you never see them again. Looking between the professors she watched as Professor Newlin left them and headed in tot he forest. She couldn't take her eyes off the professor until she was gone, the forest just sucking her up into the trees. Even being day time that forest looked dark.

Minerva glanced up at Mr. Gibbins and tried to give him a reassuring and brave smile. She then heard his directions and took a deep breath. "Alright, let's...go" and with that she took her first step into the forest. Heading the opposite direction then Professor Newlin, Minerva tried to figure out which way she was headed just so they could head back the same way if they needed out quickly. It didn't take long before she felt they were closed in by trees looking around she was in aww of the difference just a few steps could make. Glancing back she saw no hut, no castle, just trees. Now she knew what Glenn was talking about months ago when she said she had gotten lost in the forest. It seemed so easy to be lost in here. Minerva tried to mentally remember every movement so they could get back, which in the back of her mind she knew the Gibbins probably knew the forest better then anyone and wouldn't have a problem getting them out.

So many hiding places, so many tall bushes and trees. How were they ever going to find a plant in here? What kind of animals would they run into? So many thoughts ran through Minerva's mind and she tried to push them aside to focus. As she walked her eyes bounced from place to place anxiously watching for movement of any kind. Then she wondered if they should call for Pepper, maybe if Pepper was scared, but close she would hear her name and come to them. Stepping on a twig that cracked under her foot, Minerva jumped and quickly looked down. Breathing harder from being spooked by her own foot she glanced at the other two, "Sorry" Then she stopped and looked at Mr. Gibbins for a second then eyes back to the forest she whispered, "Think we should try calling Pepper, see if she comes if she is close by?" She stood still watching around them and waiting to see whether they should move further in, call Pepper, or what Mr. Gibbins wanted to do next.

They seemed to be missing the point completely. Horror movies were completely and truly real and they were based on everyday stuff. This whole place could be the set of a horror movie! Abraxans going missing, plants hauling away cute, defenseless wombats...creepy forests with dark creatures in it. Then they expected her to not worry? Seriously.

But fine. They could have it their way. She wasn't going to stop anyone who wanted to have a one on one with the plant--a plant that could be 50 feet in actuality for all they knew. The only part they'd ever seen was the tendril right? Exactly.

She smiled a bit when Professor Newlin tried reassuring them then patted her before going. Dang. She was really gonna miss that woman...sigh...

Lex looked to the Ground's Keeper when he said they should stay in front. She could do that!!! Not waiting to be told anymore she headed off, following just behind Minnie for a while but then her pace got quicker and soon she was leading...not to worry she could still hear them both behind her. She even heard when Minnie suggested they tried calling Pepper. Good idea.

"PEPPER!!! PEPPER!! HERE GIRL!!!! PEEEEEEPPER!!!"

She flashed around in all directions, hoping to see the dog bounding towards them.