Braeden took a deep breath and exhaled softly. Oh, the air was so much nicer out here. Inside the castle it was infested with the stink of potions and charms gone wrong that set people's hair on fire. Out here, though? Everything was calm and perfect.

A little too calm and perfect for our cowardly lion, though. Brae enjoyed the fresh air and the greenery, but... well, the pathways could be a little creepy at times. Most of the trees blocked out the sunlight and it was hard to see past the first layer of branches surrounding either side of the pathway. Anything could be lurking in there!

As he walked, with no real destination in mind, Braeden couldn't help but shoot nervous glances at the trees and darkness every now and then. Any little sound, even a twig snapping, could send him jumping up the nearest tree like a cat. He really needed to work on his lack of... bravery this year. How had that hat sorted him in Gryffindor?!

We will never know...