So you see. Aegis needed his peace and quiet, he was done with people for now so he could think. Think lots about his Mother, his Father, and other things. The Castle was too loud for that and Aegis could only think that a place that was Forbidden from going into would be a perfect place to hide, and think. He wrapped his scarf over his face an tucked his gloved hands into his robe. He took the open entrance that was behind the Groundskeeper's hut, as he was certain the man was probably in the greenhouses or wherever. Aegis just didn't see him around.

He moved only about 20 feet into the forest before finding a tree and sitting behind it on the lightly snow dusted ground. Now Aegis could think.

Zander was just out taking a walk, as you did, because that was probably the only time he got to have for himself nowadays. Between Prefect rounds and studying and making sure he spent an adequate amount of time with Kevin and lessons and-- See, so many ANDS? He hardly got any time for himself. That much, he was certain of. Though being certain wasn't really a common occurrence for Zander Adair... Yet his walks were. A consist routine thing.

As he began to round his way back from the greenhouses, however, something-or uh more like someone caught his eye. Of course he couldn't quite tell who exactly that someone was, as if he had known it was Aegis the whole time he may have just let him get himself out of the forbidden forrest- but he did know that whoever that someone was, he was O____O WALKING INTO THE FORBIDDEN FORREST??? But uh. It's... Forbidden? It was in the name and everything!!!

Didn't they teach the firsties and the transfers to oh, you know, STAY AWAY??? There were Cold Ones in there!!! For Merlin's sake.

The Prefect adjusted his badge as he began making his way towards whoever that nutter, but stopped himself right outside of the forrest's boundries. He wasn't going in there. That would be so against the rules and he had a badge and... Really, he only broke the rules when it came to Kevin. And that was... twice? Wait a minute. That wasn't even just any someone. That was Aegis. -________- Aegis. The Gryffindor attempted to straighten his back the best he could, trying to look confident, as he cleared his throat to get the boy's attention. "Oi, Aegis! What are you doing in there? The forbidden forrest is.. Uh, Forbidden!?" So basically get out. Or deal with the consequences? ... Maybe?

Eeeeeeeeh Whaaaaaaat!?


Damn...someone had spotted him, so much for much needed Aegis time. He was about to get up and go back, but he turned the corner of the tree. NAAAAH it was just Prefect Zander Adair, that nutter. Aegis wasn't going to listen to a Prefect. No WAY. So he turned back aound and stayed behind the tree he was at. "I'm trying to have some Personal Me time!" He yelled back. "Castle's too crowded!"

Of course he knew the Forbidden Forrest was Forbidden. "Yeah, I know that! That's why I came in here. Because no one else will!" Now leave him be! He wasn't even in that far, and he was still just off the entrance's path. He had thoughts that needed to be thunked.

...Of course Aegis would refuse to listen. OF COURSE. What even made Zander think to try with this kid? Really there was no hope. And if it weren't for the weight of this darn badge sitting on his robes, he may have just turned around. If Aegis wanted to be eaten by giant spiders then good luck to him. Except for the fact that he probably had the most annoying conscience out of anyone in this entire school. Or maybe just out of all of Gryffindor house? Either way, there was something keeping his feet glued to the spot. And unfortunately he had no choice but to respond. "You can have some personal time by the lake, Aegis." -_____- Except... It was funny what the other Gryffindor was saying about the crowded castle... Because Zander, for the first time all year by the way, agreeid. Agreeing with Aegis. What even???

"Or uh, if you really want some personal time.." Uuuuh, where was he going with this? "Maybe a detention cell would be cozier?" First off, what gave him enough confidence to say that probably thinking back to what Agatha had told him? Second off, did Prefects even have the authority to warn someone with detention? And thirdly, he wouldn't wish detention on anyone after what Kevin and Puck had told him about theirs. Not. Even. Aegis. -____- Aegis.

"Honestly Aegis, there are some real weird... creatures that live in there and if you'd like to live another day.... I suggest you come do your thinking out here." Because clearly Aegis wasn't thinking at all.

By the Lake?! Really by the Lake, did Zander want him to be spotted by EVERYONE more so than in the Castle. If they weren't in the Castle they were at the Lake...Aegis knew that, he had gone down to the Lake plenty before hand. "The Lake's stupid!" he yelled back.

Detention!?!?!? Could Zander muster up that Authority to throw him in detention, or was it just a hollow threat? Aegis sat quietly behind the tree for a bit longer. He was weighing his options and assessing Zander's threat. Also it was giving him some quiet, which he got from Zander for a bit before the Prefect spoke up once more. "First off! You can't do that!" Yeah Aegis will call your bluff, the tall blonde knew that if Prefects could dish out detentions. They'd have done that at the Feast Months ago, when that fight broke out at the Ravenclaw Table. "Secondly, COOL!" Again, Zander had forgotten, Aegis could just shrink those bugs down now. He did that to the Spiders in Charms, what difference would Acromantula's be?

Now leave him in peace, or he could come in here and drag him out!

Did Aegis just call the lake stupid??? As in Zander Adair's number 2 favorite spot in all of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry... STUPID??? Well now it just got personal. Just kidding. It was always personal.... Eh, kind of? Whatever it was, Zander took full personal offense to it. Stupid?? What even? Maybe Aegis was just stupid. YEAH! Though, he would keep that bit to himself. There was no way the kid would follow instructions if he let that one slip. Also, it was more of a Kevin Hirase thing to do. Not a Zander Adair one. So the Gryffindor just shouted back-- because Aegis was still behind a tree and sound waves and yeah-- "The lake isn't stupid! But there are tons of other quiet places around too!" Like. Uh. The library? THAT WAS QUIET? Like a graveyard full of mimes it was. But only because who even went to the library anyways? Zander Adair unfortunately, but only just this year okay???

At the sound of quiet consideration though, Zander's lips curled up into a tiny smile. Ha, that was it? It was THAT easy?! Man, he should've threatened people with detention from the very beginning!! Who knew that this would-- Whut. -__________- "Well, I can um... Talk to the Headmistress and she'd definitely put you there," Pft. Right? Like... He could talk to the Headmistress? Or maybe just Airey? That's right, Aegis. Zander Adair had seen the way you eyed the Astronomy man in class. And at the welcome party. And always? It was kind of weird actually... SECONDLY, COOL???? Cool??? COOL??? "Aegis, do you WANT to die!??!" Because the Forbidden Forrest would be a terrible way to go. At least let him call Kevin over. Boy would probably love to use his wand, plus it'd make things short and less painful probably...

But if Aegis didn't comply... That meant he'd have to walk in and get him, himself... SIGH. So maybe this was worth a shot? And if not... Zander Adair was going to... #prefecting.

Aegis knew the Lake wasn't really stupid, he was just in a mood. He actually really liked the Lake, especially when it was Spring and Summer time, and the Girls went down to Tan...................MIND WANDERING! ALERT! STAY FOCUSED ON WHY YOU CAME DOWN TO THE FORREST! THINK ABOUT MOTHER!..................He wasn't going to take it back. Not yet anyways, a Man sticks to his words, and right now the Lake was Stupid, especially for Aegis' needs of quiet tranquility. "I'LL SAY WHAT I FEEL ABOUT THE LAKE WHEN I FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT THE LAKE!" The Blonde wasn't sure why he had to yell that one loudly towards Adair, but he did. "I bet you won't!" Aegis dared him again. He was really testing his Limits with Authority now. Zander wouldn't bring the Head Mistress into this, it was a stupid thing to involve her in yeah?

Aegis just really wanted alone time, and the longer he was in the Forrest, the longer Zander would stand there bugging him. "I'll give you an ultimatum!" Aegis declared. "Either! Leave me be or come in here and get me!! OR tell me your most secret spot! I'll go there instead!" Those were his final demands. Aegis wasn't going to leave here unless one of those three things happened.

Zander literally had no words. NONE. Nope. Zip. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Why the heck was Aegis yelling so loudly?! You know, this entire yelling situation could be solved in the matter of seconds, if the kid only just TURNED AROUND. Or maybe even oh, you know... CAME OUT OF THE FORREST?? But of course things were never that simple with Aegis. Or at least they never seemed to be. Couldn't Zander just have one day of complete solitude? Just one? That was really all he asked for and it wasn't much. Though with Aegis around, it seemed impossible. "There are GIRLS at the lake. Pretty ones too!!" That always seemed to do the trick for Aegis, right? -______- Aegis.

And about the Headmistress... Aegis was right, Zander wouldn't go get her. But he couldn't tell Aegis that... Then the boy would go around doing whatever he wanted 100% of the time. As if he didn't already, really. "Well I-uh-not right now, but only because you'd probably run away by the time she gets down here!" And he was still raising his voice by the way-- not nearly as loudly as Aegis, though.

The Prefect shifted around on his feet a little trying to come up with a plan. He really didn't have much of a choice here by the forrest... He'd have to go in himself, wouldn't he? Couldn't leave Aegis here... What if something bad happened to him!? Speaking of which... He was going to take out his wand now uh, in case any unwanted company decided to crawl around. Merlin. See, Aegis, he was trying to protect YOU. Even after all this. .... An ultimatum? All thoughts were put to a halt for a minute as he inched a bit closer to make sure he could properly hear. Leave him be? That wasn't an option. Come in here and get him? Uh, could he not? Tell Aegis his most secret spot? NO WAY! There was a reason it was his favorite place in all of Hogwarts and divulging that information to Aegis of all people... It would be a nightmare. He liked the place because Aegis wasn't at his place. So option two it was. SIIIIIIIIIGH. -______-

Zander took a deep breath, but didn't say much else as he slowly made his way into the nearest edge of the forrest. Finally coming to a stop right at the foot of the tree that Aegis had been poking his head out of, Zander made his way to the other side... Stopping right in front of his housemate. "Happy, Aegis?" Zander was EXASPERATED. Merlin, Aegis was so tiring. "Now come on, let's go!"

Dratted Astronomers! Zander had gone with the Come in and get him Option. AH WELL! That just made Aegis respect Zander more as a Person now anyways... He stood up and from his spot at the Tree and eyed Zander angrily for a moment, then plastered a stupid grin on his face. "Fine you got me! Prefect Zander!" He threw him a thumbs-up then plants his fists on his hips heroically "Are there really a bunch of Pretty Girls down at the Lake? In this Month?" Seriously Decemeber seemed like an odd time for Pretty girls to chill at the Lake. Maybe it was just because there were so many of them, that there'd be some there anyways!? DAMN YOU ZANDER! He was right there would be plenty there now! AGH HE PLAYED INTO THE PREFECTS TRAP! "I need a quiet place at the Lake. You'll find one for me." Yup that was his last ditch plan to stay hidden.

So no need to get the Headmistress, whether he could or not. Aegis wasn't one to run from anyone. Even some crazy red-headed Super Authority. Her Hair'd have to be truly on Fire for it to get to him. Perhaps he should complement his friend here."Brilliant, Zander. Seriously I knew you had the guts in you to come in the Forrest too. So yeah I'm Happy" Sorta kinda, maybe not really. "Right then. Off you take me to the Lake?" Then he had a brilliant idea. "But you gotta make it look like I didn't want to go. Like pretend to force me yeah?" Come one, Zander you wanna look like a Hero, a Tough Guy Authority who won't take no for an answer? "Drag me to the Lake." Aegis nodded, and crossed his arms.

He was waaaaaiting, Aegis. Now that he was in here and all, it meant that the Gryffindor had to abide. That was the deal. Unless Aegis was just going to break it, though that was more of something he'd expect from Kevin. But well, Aegis was pretty stub--He was standing up???? It was THAT easy? All he had to do was walk in and Aegis STOOD UP? Oh. Well. Pft. Uh. Prefect powers, duh. Riiiiight. Ahem. He was authoritative. Totally. "Well of course, uh, pretty girls like fresh air too..." He was making all of this stuff up by the way. Now that he thought about it, would there even be pretty girls at the lake in this cold?! Which kind of made him question the fact that the two of them were out here in this cold and.. No. As long as Aegis was concerned, there were pretty girls there. Mostly just so he'd start moving.

As for Aegis's demand... "What? Why would--" Wait. If Zander could find Aegis a nice place at the LAKE that meant that he was willing to leave the forrest and you know... On second thought, it'd be his pleasure. "I mean, uh, sure Aegis... I'll do my best." As long as you, you know... FOLLOWED TO THE LAKE. Ahem. The forrest was just super forbidden, y'know?!

At the compliment though, Zander just ran a hand through his hair, as awkward as it could get. He wasn't sure how to take compliments coming from Aegis. The guy was a total menace... And.. The question was, was he actually being genuine? Or was he just trying to take the mickey out of the poor Prefect again? O_____O Wait. Aegis Dane say what noow? Drag him??? ".... You want me to-- Alright, alright... As long as we make it up there in one piece." He was going to question it, he really was. But it'd get no where and the main goal was to get Aegis out from the inside of the forbidden forrest and if it meant dragging him LIKE WHUT???? He'd do it. After a few moments of hesitation, the Gryffindor grabbed on to the other boy's arm and began to walk. "So uh, you're going to cooperate though, right?" Aegis, please walk. For Merlin's sake, take it easy on him.

Zoe was determined to go back into the forest for the last time before leaving Hogwarts for the last time. She was a 7th year, of age and knew a lot more than she had her first year. She could deal with an acromantula this time if it appeared...right? Err....well she just hoped it didn't appear this time. Yeah she sort of hoped this time it would leave her well enough alone. That had been a dare she'd agreed to from Laura. Now she was going to just go in, wand out and see what was so exciting about the forest? She wasn't going in far! Just a few steps. So she could at least say she wasn't chicken? being dared to go in.

Heck, she was going to work with dragons wasn't she? What could be worse than that in the forest?

James wandered around the grounds after doing his usual running workout and spotted a familiar figure heading toward the forest by herself. Was she insane? Watching her for a moment he smirked and waited to see what she was going to do. She was actually going in! BY HERSELF! Yup she was crazy .

He slowly walked up behind her with a smirk making sure not to make any noise to draw her attention. "BOOOO!" he yelled behind her and ducked should she shoot that wand off in his direction.

She had her wand out as she entered the forest, and though it wasn't 'dark' dark she lit it to make sure she didn't miss anything. What was the worst that would happen? She'd get detention for putting herself in danger? She had her wand and wasn't going to go far. Her eyes darted to any movement she saw and even looked up as an owl hooted as it sat on one of the branches of a tree nearby. She was about to take a step when she jumped out of her skin at the boo that was yelled at her and she turned quickly ready to hit whoever that had been either with a spell or her hand....whichever came to mind first.

James laughed as he saw Zoe jump and wrapped his arms around her "Eaaaaaaaaaasy now Zoe," he said still laughing. It had been pretty dang funny after all. She didn't even see him coming up. She probably wouldn't last two seconds in the forest by herself. "You should probably be a little more diligent when about to enter the dark, dangerous, unknown forest," he said with a smirk and gave her a squeeze before letting go.

She growled when she heard his laughter, yep she knew it was James. Slowly though her tense body relaxed now that she was in his arms and knew that at least for the moment she was safe. She shook her head "I was diligent, I had my eyes out for everything, every sight and sound...til you...." she nudged him pushing him a little "Broke my concentration." she said blowing a raspberry. She shook her head "This should be easy compared to dealing with dragons....and I want to actually see the forest before leaving. And not see it as I'm running out as fast as I can from an acromantula."

Hearing her growl only made James laugh more. He had scared her and that had been what he was going for. "Then obviously your concentration was easily broken," he said laughing as she nudged him. Eyeing the forest he looked back at her and sighed. "Alright but I'm coming with you before you get eaten by one. Don't need my best friend becoming a spiders dinner now can I." He shuddered at the thought of the huge spider and shook his head. He'd much rather not but well...it was Zoe of course he was going to go with her. "Bear in mind I have longer legs and will run faster than you," he teased and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Alright. So...what's the plan? Just walk straight in?"

FOOD!

The acromantulas needed food and they needed it soon. The winter months were dragging on making food in the forest really scarce. With her mate dead thanks to those horrible humans, the task of making sure her hundreds of children were fed was left to mother acromantula, and let me tell you, finding food for that many children was no easy task.

Finding no desirable food while patrolling the forest, the eldest and the largest of the spiders ventured dangerously close to the outer edges of the forest, where much to her surprise she heard voices, in the forest. Voices of humans. Humans who were about to become dinner for her family.

Lurking in the shadows for a moment she watched and listened as the boys (Aegis and Zander) discussed going to the lake.

NO! NO! NO! NO! That was not going to happen.

With her pincers clacking, the HUGE acromantula moved out of the shadows right towards the boys in question. "What's your hurry humans? No need to run off to the lake so quickly." Not when there were so many creatures here in the forest that would happily welcome them into their stomachs.

She could feel her mouth watering already.

Eugh, winter.

It was way to cold for Gregoire.

Why was he outside then? There was nothing left to do indoors anymore.

One bundled up Frenchie decided to take some risks today. Just like he did at the beginning of the year! So if it ended up like then, he'd be in loads and loads of trouble....oh well! Skipping into the Forbidden Forest, Gregoire heard two familiar voices. And...an unfamiliar female voice that sounded rather scary too. Following the sound, Gregoire stumbled upon the scene!

It was Aegis and Zander and an....ACROMANTULA!!!! AGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Screaming at the top of his lungs the boy said "Aegis! Zander! Watch out!" Wand being whipped out, they would be needing some help...but wait...if they got help the three of them would be in trouble. But if he didn't then they'd most likely die...well...either way Gregoire would probably be dead...no help it was!

Adrenaline over took his body. "You! 'Ey you! Stupid spider!" Shouting at the big ugly beast, hoping to draw it's attention. "Dimuendo!" The fourth year said with a lot emphasis, with his wand pointed at the Acromantula. Thank you, Professor Quigley.

Humans really were not the smartest of creatures were they. Especially this little human (Gregoire) who thought he stood a chance against such an enormous creature like the HUGE acromantula standing before him.

Even the acromantula knew enough to know the incantation sounded odd even for a wizard and it had no effect on the spider. "FOOLISH HUMAN! HOW DARE YOU CALL ME STUPID AND SHOOT SPELLS AT ME LIKE THAT!" As the spider moved closer to the boy, the sound of hundreds of legs and pincers could be heard scurrying towards them. "Look what you have done now. Not only have you angered ME, you have also angered my children." That's right, her children were coming to defend their mother. Not that she needed the help of course. "For that you will pay. WITH YOUR LIFE!" And with that said, dozens of spiders ranging in size from two feet to 4 feet long jumped at and on the boy.

"NO ONE MESSES WITH OUR MOTHER!" Shouted one of the smaller acromantulas before biting down hard on the boys hand that was holding his wand.

OWWWWWWW!

THAT STUPID LITTLE SPIDER JUST BITE GREGOIRE!!!!

Gripping hard onto his wand so that way it didn't fall, the boy kicked the blasted thing off. Also of course he messed up the spell before. The Frenchie did not do so well under pressure. He missed the in part. Instead of Diminuendo, the Snake had stated Dimuendo. Which just so happened to anger the large spider. Well, now spiders. Which were all coming after him...

With his wand hand now dripping blood from the bite spider bite Gregoire was the one mad now. There was another charm- well two other charms that could help here. But the boy choose the first one of the two, since it was made for getting rid of Acromantulas. Staring into the oncoming onslaught of the little buggers the boy took a step backwards, gave a grim smile, and laughed. "That spell may not have worked." Kick one of the spiders that jumped. "But this one will!" Punch another one."Arania Exumai!" He shouted, wand pointed at the swarm.

Blue light shot out at the swarm. Hopefully, this would do the trick. Taking another step back, Gregoire took a glimpse at his hand. It was still bleeding...great...kicking a spider that tried to bite his leg, anger washed over the fourth year's face.

Now Gregoire went into raging bull mode.

Puck pulled her cloak tighter around her as she walked closer to the forest. It would be the perfect location she was sure of it. “So we could have something here or…you know inside of the forest?” She shrugged as she placed her hand on a tree and carefully stepped inside of the tree line.

“what is it that we need again? Insect repellent? Wards against the spiders?” She asked the smart one Banner as she stepped further into the forest. It wasn’t like there was anything amiss and she wasn’t far enough into the forest to see or hear anything that was going on with the Acromantulas.

If she could see the spiders the poor kids in there would be...well out of luck?

Gabriel was aggressively adjusting his glasses, whilst looking over his shoulder for the millionth time (just since they'd left the castle). They were nearing the FORBIDDEN forest, you see. FORBIDDEN...as in DO NOT ENTER. However, for reasons, he was being made to do just that. Needless to say, Gabe was NOT amused. He was not a Gryffindor. He had absolutely no business past a certain point out here.

...and it wasn't the actual FORBIDDENness that had him so anxious. It was...WHY said forest WAS forbidden...Gabriel quite liked his life. It might've been misery-ridden and lame but it was his. Merlin's beard, these crazy girls and their ideas.

"This is a terrible idea." It was said with some attitude; a squinty, nearly constipated scowl accompanying it. However, with that said, his usual notebook was opened and a quill was hovering studiously about it. Terrible, TERRIBLE idea....

.

.

What was that noise?

"Do you hear that?"....or was Gabe's irrational paranoia already setting in due to his acute anxiety issues?

”Oh c’mon but it would be better outside and not boring” she frowned and looked back toward the school, “besides...its daring and more fun” even though the one last term was outside that was something she would happily overlook for this…uh project right project.

She glanced back over her shoulder and smirked ever so slightly as she watched Banner and his notebook…always with the notebooks. “C’mon I think I heard about a clearing in here somewhere –“ wait was someone in here.

Click…she’d heard a click! “Banner! I do hear something we should investigate!” She nodded and glanced over to the Ravenclaw Prefect.

And finally as Zander was starting to get his voice of reason through to Aegis... What was that noise? The Gryffindor shrugged it off still watching his housemate, preparing to take off for the lake because the Forbidden Forrest was FORBIDDEN and also very dangerous?? And they did NOT need to be--

O__________________O

HOLY MERLIN ACRO-ACRO-ACROMANTULAS??

Zander literally froze on the spot as a huge one came near and started TALKING TO THEM??? Before he could even respond, Gregoire jumped out. AND HE WAS BLEEDING AND oh man. Zander was going to be sick.

Thinking quickly, the Gryffindor pulled out his wand, but instead of drawing it at the spider, he held it towards Gregoire. Zander was so done with him. Who in their right mind would call a giant-man-eating-spider stupid!??? Making a grab for Aegis with his other hand, the Gryffindor began to back up pulling his housemate with him. "Uh hi, Mrs. Acromantula... Uh... We were actually just leaving and... Uh..." Merlin, Gregoire. Did you have to???

Continuing to step back, this time taking HUGE steps by the way, he kept his eyes on the creatures the whole time. "Gregoire! Stop spitting out spells, you're only making it worse!!" he quickly turned back at the boy and whisper!shouted at him. Uh. Call it his inner Prefectness shining through? Also dire panic? Survival skills maybe? Zander Adair was frustrated, man. And freaked out. AND ACROMANTULAS??? "Anyways Mrs. Acromantula, we didn't mean to bother you and we'll just be seeing ourselves out now, thanks." POINTED LOOK AT YOU, GREGOIRE.

They were LEAVING. And going straight for the healer AND the headmistress.

... If the spiders let them. Please let them? Merlin. Why was it always him?